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{{short description|Argentine association football player}}
{{redirect|Messi}}
{{use British English|date=September 2019}}
{{use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox football biography
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Lionel Messi
| name = Lionel Messi
| fullname = Lionel Andres Messi Cuccittini<ref name="2014 FIFA World Cup squad lists">{{cite news |title=2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players |url=http://resources.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/02/36/33/44/fwc_2014_squadlists_neutral.pdf |publisher=FIFA |page=2 |date=11 June 2014 |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-date=15 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170115165236/http://resources.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/02/36/33/44/fwc_2014_squadlists_neutral.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| image = Lionel Messi 20180626.jpg
| image = Lionel Messi 20180626.jpg
| caption = Messi with [[Argentina National Football Team|Argentina]] at the [[2018 FIFA World Cup|2018 World Cup]]
| caption = Messi with [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] during the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]]
| fullname = Lionel Andrés Messi<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifadata.com/documents/FWC/2018/pdf/FWC_2018_SQUADLISTS.PDF |title=FIFA World Cup Russia 2018: List of Players: Argentina |work=FIFA |page=1 |date=15 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611000407/https://www.fifadata.com/documents/FWC/2018/pdf/FWC_2018_SQUADLISTS.PDF |archive-date=11 June 2019}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|6|24|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|6|24|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tournament.fifadata.com/documents/FWC/2018/pdf/FWC_2018_SQUADLISTS.PDF |title=2018 FIFA World Cup Russia: List of players: Argentina |work=FIFA |page=1 |date=15 July 2018 |access-date=13 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619164139/https://tournament.fifadata.com/documents/FWC/2018/pdf/FWC_2018_SQUADLISTS.PDF |archive-date=19 June 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Rosario, Santa Fe|Rosario]], Argentina
| birth_place = [[Rosario, Santa Fe]], Argentina
| height = 169 cm<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lionel Messi|url=https://www.psg.fr/equipes/equipe-premiere/effectif/lionel-messi|access-date=2021-08-17|website=PSG.FR|language=fr}}</ref>
| height = 1.69 m<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lionel Messi|url=https://www.psg.fr/equipes/equipe-premiere/effectif/lionel-messi|access-date=2021-08-16|website=PSG.FR|language=fr}}</ref>
| position = [[Forward (association football)|Forward]]
| position = [[Forward (association football)|Forward]]
| currentclub = [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]] | clubnumber = 30
| currentclub = [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]]
| youthyears1 = 1992–1995 | youthclubs1 = Grandoli
| clubnumber = 30
| youthyears2 = 1995–2000 | youthclubs2 = [[Newell's Old Boys]]
| youthclubs1 = Newell's Old Boys
| youthyears3 = 2000–2003 | youthclubs3 = [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]
| youthclubs2 = [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]
| years1      = 2003–2004 | clubs1     = [[FC Barcelona C|Barcelona C]]                    | caps1 = 10  | goals1 = 5
| youthyears1 = 1994–2000
| years2      = 2004–2005 | clubs2     = [[FC Barcelona B|Barcelona B]]                   | caps2 = 22  | goals2 = 6
| youthyears2 = 2000–2003
| years3      = 2004–2021 | clubs3      = [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]                        | caps3 = 520 | goals3 = 474
| clubs1 = Barcelona C
| years4      = 2021–    | clubs4      = [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]]  | caps4 = 0 | goals4 = 0
| clubs2 = [[FC Barcelona B|Barcelona B]]
| nationalyears1 = 2004–2005  | nationalteam1 = [[Argentina national under-20 football team|Argentina U20]]  | nationalcaps1 = 18  | nationalgoals1 = 14
| years1 = 2003–2004
| nationalyears2 = 2008      | nationalteam2 = [[Argentina national under-23 football team|Argentina U23]]  | nationalcaps2 = 5   | nationalgoals2 = 2
| years2 = 2004–2005
| nationalyears3 = 2005–      | nationalteam3 = [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]]              | nationalcaps3 = 151 | nationalgoals3 = [[List of international goals scored by Lionel Messi|76]]
| caps1 = 10
| club-update = 23:37, 5 August 2021 (UTC)
| caps2 = 22
| nationalteam-update = 10 July 2021
| goals1 = 0
| medaltemplates = <!--MENTION HOST NATIONS FOR TEAM SPORTS-->{{MedalSport|Men's [[Association football|football]]}}
| goals2 = 1
{{MedalCountry|{{fb|ARG}}}}
| nationalteam1 = Argentina U20
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIFA World Cup]]}}
| nationalteam2 = Argentina U23
{{Medal|RU|[[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014 Brazil]]|}}
| nationalyears1 = 2004–2005
| nationalyears2 = 2007–2008
| nationalcaps1 = 19
| nationalcaps2 = 5
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalgoals2 = 2
| medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry|{{fb|Argentina}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[South American Youth Football Championship|South American U-20 Championship]]}}
{{Medal|3rd|[[2005 South American U-20 Championship|2005 Colombia]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIFA U-20 World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|Winner|[[2005 FIFA World Youth Championship|2005 Netherlands]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Copa América]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Copa América]]}}
{{Medal|Winner|[[2021 Copa América|2021 Brazil]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2007 Copa América|2007 Venezuela]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2007 Copa América|2007 Venezuela]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2015 Copa América|2015 Chile]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2015 Copa América|2015 Chile]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[Copa América Centenario|2016 United States]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[Copa América Centenario|2016 United States]]|}}
{{Medal|3rd|[[2019 Copa América|2019 Brazil]]|}}
{{Medal|Winner|[[2021 Copa América|2021 Brazil]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Football at the Summer Olympics#Men's tournament|Olympic Games]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Football at the Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Beijing]]|[[Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|U-23 Team]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2008 Beijing]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIFA U-20 World Cup]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIFA World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|Winner|[[2005 FIFA World Youth Championship|2005 Netherlands]]|[[Argentina national under-20 football team|U-20 Team]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014 Brazil]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[South American Youth Football Championship|South American U-20 Championship]]}}
| club-update = 18 January 2022
{{Medal|3rd|[[2005 South American U-20 Championship|2005 Colombia]]|}}
| nationalteam-update = 18 January 2022
| years3 = 2004–2021
| clubs3 = [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]
| caps3 = 520
| goals3 = 474
| years4 = 2021–
| clubs4 = [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]]
| caps4 = 11
| goals4 = 1
| nationalyears3 = 2005–
| nationalteam3 = [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]]
| nationalcaps3 = 158
| nationalgoals3 = 80
}}
}}
{{Lionel Messi series}}
'''Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi Cuccittini''' (Spanish pronunciation: [ljoˈnel anˈdɾes ˈmesi]) (born 24 June 1987) is an [[Argentina|Argentine]] [[footballer]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.messi.com |title=Lionel Messi Website}}</ref> He plays for [[Ligue 1]] club [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]] and the [[Argentina national football team|Argentina national team]] as a [[Striker|forward]].
 
'''Lionel Andrés Messi'''{{refn|group=note|According to FCBarcelona.com, and his authorised biography, ''Messi'' by [[Guillem Balagué]], his surname is the single "Messi", in accordance with Argentine customs.<ref name="BarcaProfile">{{cite web |title=Profile: Lionel Andrés Messi |publisher=FC Barcelona |url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/staff/players/messi |access-date=8 September 2015}}</ref>{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=32–37}} Other sources, including a 2014 document by [[FIFA]], give his surname as the double "Messi Cuccittini".<ref>{{cite web |title=2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players |publisher=FIFA |date=10 June 2014 |page=2 |url=http://resources.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/02/36/33/44/fwc_2014_squadlists_neutral.pdf |access-date=8 September 2015}}</ref> After winning a libel case in 2017, Messi's own management company stated: "The football player Lionel Andres Messi Cuccittini has donated a total of €72,783.20 to the organisation [[Doctors Without Borders]]."<ref>{{cite news |last=Marsden |first=Sam |url=http://www.espn.in/football/barcelona/story/3255615/lionel-messi-donates-70k-to-charity-after-winning-libel-case-against-newspaper |title=Messi donates to charity after libel case win |publisher=ESPN |date=2 November 2017|access-date=3 November 2017}}</ref>}} ({{IPA-es|ljoˈnel anˈdɾes ˈmesi|-|Lionel Andrés Messi - Name.ogg}}; born 24 June 1987), also known as '''Leo Messi''', is an Argentine professional [[Association football|footballer]] who plays as a [[forward (association football)|forward]] for [[Ligue 1]] club [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]] and [[Captain (association football)|captains]] the [[Argentina national football team|Argentina national team]]. Often considered the best player in the world and widely regarded as<!-- based on consensus on the talk page (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Cristiano_Ronaldo/Archive_14#Final_Resolution,_I'm_the_original_writer:_%22Often_considered_the_best_player_in_the_world_and_regarded_by_many_as_the_greatest_of_all_time%22); don't change. --> one of the greatest players of all time, Messi has won a record six [[Ballon d'Or]] awards,{{refn|group=note|In addition to four FIFA Ballons d'Or, Messi received ''[[France Football]]''{{'}}s [[Ballon d'Or]] and [[FIFA]]'s [[FIFA World Player of the Year|World Player of the Year award]] in 2009 prior to their incorporation; both organisations credited him with five (FIFA) Ballons d'Or.<ref>{{cite web |first=Rémy |last=Lacombe |title=Messi, le Cinquième Élément |magazine=France Football |date=11 January 2016 |url=http://www.francefootball.fr/news/messi-le-cinquieme-element/623615 |access-date=26 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Messi, Lloyd, Luis Enrique and Ellis Triumph at FIFA Ballon d'Or 2015 |publisher=FIFA |date=11 January 2016 |url=https://www.fifa.com/news/y=2016/m=1/news=messi-lloyd-luis-enrique-and-ellis-triumph-at-fifa-ballon-d-or-2015-2754944.html |access-date=26 May 2016}}</ref> In 2019, he received a sixth [[2019 Ballon d'Or|Ballon d'Or]] and won the [[The Best FIFA Men's Player|Best FIFA Men's Player]].}} a record six [[European Golden Shoe]]s, and in 2020 was named to the [[Ballon d'Or Dream Team#First Team|Ballon d'Or Dream Team]]. Until leaving the club in 2021, he had spent his entire professional career with [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]], where he won a [[List of FC Barcelona records and statistics|club-record]] 35 trophies, including ten [[La Liga]] titles, seven [[Copa del Rey]] titles and four [[UEFA Champions League]]s. A prolific goalscorer and creative playmaker, Messi holds the records for [[List of La Liga top scorers#All-time top scorers|most goals in La Liga]] (474), [[List of La Liga top scorers#Top scorers by season|a La Liga]] and European league season (50), [[List of La Liga hat-tricks|most hat-tricks in La Liga]] (36) and the [[List of UEFA Champions League hat-tricks|UEFA Champions League]] (8), and most [[Assist (association football)|assists]] in La Liga (192), a [[List of La Liga top scorers#Top scorers by season|La Liga]] season (21) and the [[Copa América]] (17). He has scored over [[List of footballers with 500 or more goals|750 senior career goals]] for club and country, and has the most goals ever by a player for a single club.
 
Born and raised in central Argentina, Messi relocated to Spain to join Barcelona at age 13, for whom he made his competitive debut aged 17 in October 2004. He established himself as an integral player for the club within the next three years, and in his first uninterrupted season in [[2008–09 FC Barcelona season|2008–09]] he helped Barcelona achieve the first [[Treble (association football)|treble]] in Spanish football; that year, aged 22, Messi won his first [[2009 Ballon d'Or|Ballon d'Or]]. Three successful seasons followed, with Messi winning four consecutive Ballons d'Or, making him the first player to win the award four times and in a row.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Messi makes it four FIFA Ballon d'Or wins in a row |url=https://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=1910623.html |work=UEFA |date=7 January 2013 |access-date=16 May 2020}}</ref> During the [[2011–12 FC Barcelona season|2011–12 season]], he set the La Liga and European records for most goals scored in a single season, while establishing himself as [[List of FC Barcelona records and statistics#Top goalscorers|Barcelona's all-time top scorer]]. The following two seasons, Messi finished second for the [[Ballon d'Or]] behind [[Cristiano Ronaldo]] (his perceived [[Messi–Ronaldo rivalry|career rival]]), before regaining his best form during the [[2014–15 FC Barcelona season|2014–15 campaign]], becoming the all-time top scorer in La Liga and leading Barcelona to a historic second treble, after which he was awarded a fifth Ballon d'Or in [[2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or|2015]]. Messi assumed captaincy of Barcelona in 2018, and in 2019 he won a record [[2019 Ballon d'Or|sixth Ballon d'Or]].
 
An Argentine international, Messi is both his country's [[Argentina national football team#Most capped players|highest appearance-maker]] and their [[Argentina national football team#Top goalscorers|all-time leading goalscorer]]. At youth level, he won the [[2005 FIFA World Youth Championship]], finishing the tournament with both the [[FIFA U-20 World Cup#Awards|Golden Ball and Golden Shoe]], and an [[Olympic medal|Olympic gold medal]] at the [[Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Summer Olympics]]. His style of play as a diminutive, left-footed [[Dribbling#Association football|dribbler]] drew comparisons with his compatriot [[Diego Maradona]], who described Messi as his [[New Maradona|successor]]. After his senior debut in August 2005, Messi became the youngest Argentine to play and score in a [[FIFA World Cup]] in [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006]], and reached the final of the [[2007 Copa América]], where he was named young player of the tournament. As the squad's captain from August 2011, he led Argentina to three consecutive finals: the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]], for which he won the [[FIFA World Cup awards#Golden Ball|Golden Ball]], and the [[2015 Copa América|2015]] and [[Copa América Centenario|2016 Copa América]], winning the [[2015 Copa América#Awards|Golden Ball]] in the 2015 edition. After announcing his international retirement in 2016, he reversed his decision and led his country to qualification for the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]], a third-place finish at the [[2019 Copa América]], and won the [[2021 Copa América]], while winning the [[2021 Copa América#Awards|Golden Ball]] and [[Copa América records and statistics|Golden Boot]] award for the latter.  


Messi has endorsed sportswear company [[Adidas]] since 2006. According to ''[[France Football]]'', he was the world's highest-paid footballer for five years out of six between 2009 and 2014, and was ranked the [[Forbes' list of the world's highest-paid athletes|world's highest-paid athlete]] by ''[[Forbes]]'' in 2019. Messi was among [[Time 100|''Time'']]'s [[Time 100|100 most influential people in the world]] in 2011 and 2012. In February 2020, he was awarded the [[Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year|Laureus World Sportsman of the Year]], thus becoming the first footballer and the first team sport athlete to win the award. Later that year, Messi became the second footballer (and second team-sport athlete) to surpass $1 billion in career earnings.
Many experts and critics consider Messi as one of the greatest football players of all time. Some{{who}} even say he is the greatest player ever. Messi has seven [[Ballon D'Or|Ballon d'Or]] awards, the most of any player, and two more than [[Cristiano Ronaldo]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/barcelona/story/4004641/lionel-messi-wins-sixth-ballon-dor-awardovertaking-cristiano-ronaldo|title=Messi tops Ronaldo, wins sixth Ballon d'Or award|date=2 December 2019|website=ESPN|language=en}}</ref><ref name="FIFA awards">{{cite web|title=The Best FIFA Football Awards|url=https://www.fifa.com/the-best-fifa-football-awards/history/index.html|publisher=FIFA|access-date=15 November 2017|archive-date=31 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331204635/https://www.fifa.com/the-best-fifa-football-awards/history/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> His playing style and skills are very similar to the Argentine legend [[Diego Maradona]] because of their short height. There is much competition between him and [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]] footballer [[Cristiano Ronaldo]] because of their similar skill levels.
{{TOClimit|4}}


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
Messi was born and raised in [[Rosario]], [[Argentina]]. Messi is the third of four children of Jorge Messi and his wife Celia Cuccittini. He has two brothers named Rodrigo and Matias and two cousins named Maximiliano and Emanuel.


Messi was born on 24 June 1987 in [[Rosario, Santa Fe]],'''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Messi {{!}} Ficha del jugador 20/21 {{!}} Delantero |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.es/es/futbol/primer-equipo/jugadores/4974/lionel-messi|access-date=1 June 2021|work=FC Barcelona|language=es}}</ref>''' the third of four children of Jorge Messi, a steel factory manager, and his wife Celia Cuccittini, who worked in a magnet manufacturing workshop. On his father's side, he is of Italian and Spanish descent, the great-grandson of immigrants from the northcentral [[Adriatic Sea|Adriatic]] [[Marche]] region of [[Italy]] and [[Catalonia]], and on his mother's side, he has primarily Italian ancestry.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=32–37}}<ref>{{Citation|title=Lionel Messi rare interview (17 years old) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OkPFgFbCO0|access-date=6 March 2020}}</ref> Growing up in a tight-knit, football-loving family, "Leo" developed a passion for the sport from an early age, playing constantly with his older brothers, Rodrigo and Matías, and his cousins, [[Maxi Biancucchi|Maximiliano]] and [[Emanuel Biancucchi]], both of whom became professional footballers.{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=9–10}} At the age of four he joined local club Grandoli, where he was coached by his father, though his earliest influence as a player came from his maternal grandmother, Celia, who accompanied him to training and matches.<ref name="MagicFeet">{{cite news |first=John |last=Carlin |title=Lionel Messi: Magic in His Feet |newspaper=The Independent |date=27 March 2010 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/lionel-messi-magic-in-his-feet-1928768.html |access-date=18 July 2015 |archive-date=5 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705210947/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/lionel-messi-magic-in-his-feet-1928768.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was greatly affected by her death, shortly before his eleventh birthday; since then, as a devout Catholic, he has celebrated his goals by looking up and pointing to the sky in tribute to his grandmother.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=44–45}}<ref>{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Maume |title=Lionel Messi: The World at His Feet |newspaper=The Independent |date=11 July 2014 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/lionel-messi-the-world-at-his-feet-9601215.html |access-date=18 July 2015}}</ref>
Messi's grandmother died when he was 11, and after that he generally celebrates his goals by pointing up in the sky in tribute of his grandmother.
 
{{quote box|width=25%|align=right|quote="When you saw him you would think: this kid can't play ball. He's a dwarf, he's too fragile, too small. But immediately you'd realise that he was born different, that he was a phenomenon and that he was going to be something impressive."|source=– [[Newell's Old Boys]] youth coach [[Adrián Coria]] shares his first impression of the 12-year-old Messi.{{sfn|Caioli|2012|p=38}}}}
A lifelong supporter of [[Newell's Old Boys]], Messi joined the Rosario club when he was six years old. During the six years he played for Newell's, he scored almost 500 goals as a member of "The Machine of '87", the near-unbeatable youth side named for the year of their birth, and regularly entertained crowds by performing ball tricks during half-time of the first team's home games.<ref name="Here">{{cite web |first=Wright |last=Thompson |title=Here and Gone: The Strange Relationship between Lionel Messi and His Hometown in Argentina |work=ESPN |date=22 October 2012 |url=http://www.espn.com/espn/eticket/story?page=Lionel-Messi |access-date=18 July 2015}}</ref>{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=31–35}} However, his future as a professional player was threatened when, at age 10, he was diagnosed with a [[growth hormone deficiency]]. As his father's health insurance covered only two years of [[growth hormone treatment]], which cost at least [[Argentine peso|$]]1,000 per month, Newell's agreed to contribute, but later reneged on their promise.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Jérôme |last1=Cazadieu |first2=Alexandre |last2=Juillard |first3=Frédéric |last3=Traïni |title=Leo Messi: La Légende d'El Enano |trans-title=Leo Messi: The Legend of El Enano |newspaper=L'Équipe via Irish Independent |date=15 November 2008 |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/rosario-the-old-coach-and-the-kid-26496103.html |access-date=18 July 2015}}</ref> He was scouted by Buenos Aires club [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]], whose [[playmaker]], [[Pablo Aimar]], he idolised, but they were also unable to pay for his treatment due to [[1998–2002 Argentine great depression|Argentina's economic collapse]].<ref name="Mission">{{cite news |first=Ian |last=Hawkey |title=Lionel Messi on a Mission |newspaper=The Times {{subscription required}} |date=20 April 2008 |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article3779961.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830020412/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article3779961.ece |archive-date=30 August 2008 |url-status=live |access-date=18 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="Aimar">{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Wilson |title=Pablo Aimar: The Argentinian Wizard Admired by Maradona and Messi |newspaper=The Guardian |date=16 July 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/jul/16/pablo-aimar-next-diego-maradona-argentina-retired-age-35-valencia |access-date=18 July 2015}}</ref> His goalscoring idol growing up was [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]], with Messi calling him "the best forward I've ever seen".<ref>{{cite news |title=Messi: Brazil striker Ronaldo my hero |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/messi-brazil-striker-ronaldo-my-hero |access-date=8 September 2018 |work=FourFourTwo}}</ref>
 
[[File:La Masia (Can Planas) (Barcelona) - 1.jpg|thumb|left|Messi enrolled at Barcelona's youth academy, [[La Masia]], at age 13.]]
As the Messi family had relatives in Catalonia, they sought to arrange a trial with [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] in September 2000. First team director [[Carles Rexach|Charly Rexach]] immediately wanted to sign him, but the board of directors hesitated; at the time it was highly unusual for European clubs to sign foreign players of such a young age. On 14 December, an ultimatum was issued for Barcelona to prove their commitment, and Rexach, with no other paper at hand, offered a contract on a paper napkin.<ref name="Mission"/><ref name="Serviette">{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=Lionel Messi: How Argentinian Teenager Signed for Barcelona on a Serviette |newspaper=The Guardian |date=15 October 2014 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/oct/15/lionel-messi-barcelona-decade |access-date=18 July 2015}}</ref> In February 2001, the family relocated to Barcelona, where they moved into an apartment near the club's stadium, [[Camp Nou]]. During his first year in Spain, Messi rarely played with the ''Infantiles'' due to a transfer conflict with Newell's; as a foreigner, he could only be fielded in friendlies and the Catalan league. Without football, he struggled to integrate into the team; already reserved by nature, he was so quiet that his teammates initially believed he was mute. At home, he suffered from homesickness after his mother moved back to Rosario with his brothers and little sister, María Sol, while he stayed in Barcelona with his father.<ref name="Here"/><ref name="Serviette"/><ref name="BoyGenius">{{cite news |first=Jeré |last=Longman |title=Lionel Messi: Boy Genius |newspaper=The New York Times |date=21 May 2011 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/22/sports/soccer/lionel-messi-boy-genius.html |access-date=18 July 2015}}</ref>
 
After a year at Barcelona's youth academy, [[La Masia]], Messi was finally enrolled in the [[Royal Spanish Football Federation]] (RFEF) in February 2002. Now playing in all competitions, he befriended his teammates, among whom were [[Cesc Fàbregas]] and [[Gerard Piqué]].{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=61–62}} After completing his growth hormone treatment aged 14,{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=149}} Messi became an integral part of the "Baby Dream Team", Barcelona's greatest-ever youth side. During his first full season (2002–03), he was top scorer with 36 goals in 30 games for the ''Cadetes'' A, who won an unprecedented treble of the league and both the Spanish and Catalan cups.{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=61–62}}<ref>{{cite news |first=Pete |last=Jenson |title=Fàbregas, Messi, Piqué: Class of 2002 |newspaper=The Independent |date=27 March 2010 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/fabregas-messi-pique-class-of-2002-1928682.html |access-date=18 July 2015}}</ref> The Copa Catalunya final, a 4–1 victory over [[RCD Espanyol|Espanyol]], became known in club lore as the ''partido de la máscara'', the final of the mask. A week after suffering a broken cheekbone during a league match, Messi was allowed to start the game on the condition that he wear a plastic protector; soon hindered by the mask, he took it off and scored two goals in 10 minutes before his substitution.{{sfn|Hunter|2012|pp=44–45}} At the close of the season, he received an offer to join [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]], his first from a foreign club, but while Fàbregas and Piqué soon left for England, he chose to remain in Barcelona.<ref name="Serviette"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi Could Have Joined Arsenal as a Teenager, Says Arsène Wenger |newspaper=The Guardian |date=21 November 2014 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/nov/21/arsenal-arsene-wenger-lionel-messi-barcelona |access-date=18 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="Messiah">{{cite web |title=The New Messiah |publisher=FIFA |date=5 March 2006 |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2006/news/newsid=103182/index.html |access-date=18 July 2015}}</ref>


== Club career ==
== Club career ==
=== Barcelona ===
=== FC Barcelona ===
==== 2003–2005: Rise to the first team ====
[[File:Messi_with_Neymar_Junior_the_Future_of_Brazil.jpg|right|thumb|Messi (left) with the [[FIFA Club World Cup awards#Golden Ball|Golden Ball award]], shaking hands with future teammate [[Neymar]] (Bronze Ball winner) after the [[2011 FIFA Club World Cup Final]].]]
{{quote box|width=30%|align=right|quote="It seemed as if he had been playing with us all his life."|source=– Barcelona's then assistant coach [[Henk ten Cate]] on Messi's first-team debut.<ref>{{cite news |first=Dermot |last=Corrigan |title=The best quotes about Lionel Messi's 10 years at Barcelona |newspaper=ESPN FC |date=16 October 2014 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/club/barcelona/83/blog/post/2089807/the-best-quotes-about-lionel-messis-10-years-at-barcelona}}</ref>}}
Messi began football at a young age and his potential was quickly seen by Barcelona. He left Newell's Old Boys' youth team in September 2000 and moved with his family to Europe in February 2001. He officially signed with Barcelona in December 2000 on a napkin. They moved to [[Spain]] because Barcelona offered their help to treat his [[growth hormone]] deficiency, and Newell's didn't offer any help.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rakesh|date=2020-04-08|title=Lionel Messi Biography{{!}} Family{{!}} Career{{!}} Net Worth|url=https://sportslibro.com/football/news/lionel-messi-biography/5798|access-date=2020-09-12|website=Sportslibro.com|language=en-US}}</ref>
 
During the [[2003–04 FC Barcelona season|2003–04 season]], his fourth with Barcelona, Messi rapidly progressed through the club's ranks, debuting for a record five youth teams in a single campaign.<ref>{{cite news |title=All time stats for Messi in the Barça youth teams |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/news/1692969/all-time-stats-for-messi-in-the-bara-youth-teams |access-date=23 September 2020 |work=FC Barcelona}}</ref> After being named player of the tournament in four international pre-season competitions with the ''Juveniles'' B, he played only one official match with the team before being promoted to the ''[[FC Barcelona (youth)#Juvenil A|Juveniles A]]'', where he scored 18 goals in 11 league games.{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=68–71}}<ref>{{cite web |first=Liviu |last=Bird |title=Ex-Teammate, La Masia Coach Recall Lionel Messi's Early Days, Persona |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=5 June 2015 |url=https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2015/06/04/lionel-messi-champions-league-final-barcelona |access-date=19 July 2015}}</ref> Messi was then one of several youth players called up to strengthen a depleted first team during the international break. French winger [[Ludovic Giuly]] explained how a teenage Leo caught the eye in a training session with [[Frank Rijkaard]]'s first team: "He destroyed us all... They were kicking him all over the place to avoid being ridiculed by this kid, he just got up and kept on playing. He would dribble past four players and score a goal. Even the team's starting centre-backs were nervous. He was an alien."<ref>{{cite web |title=Giuly remembers the first time he saw Messi 'kill' his team-mates |work=Sport |url=http://www.sport-english.com/en/news/barca/giuly-remembers-the-first-time-saw-messi-kill-his-team-mates-5378823 |date=14 September 2016}}</ref>
 
At 16 years, four months, and 23 days old, Messi made his first team debut when he came on in the 75th minute during a friendly against [[José Mourinho]]'s [[FC Porto|Porto]] on 16 November 2003.<ref name="Serviette"/><ref>{{cite web |first=Dermot |last=Corrigan |title=Messi Reflects on Debut 10 Years On |publisher=ESPN FC |date=15 November 2013 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-divisi%C3%B3n/story/1616845/lionel-messi-reflects-on-dream-barcelona-debut |access-date=19 July 2015}}</ref> His performance, creating two chances and a shot on goal, impressed the technical staff, and he subsequently began training daily with the club's reserve side, [[Barcelona B]], as well as weekly with the first team.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=191–193}} After his first training session with the senior squad, Barça's new star player, [[Ronaldinho]], told his teammates that he believed the 16-year-old would become an even better player than himself.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=246–249}} Ronaldinho soon befriended Messi, whom he called "little brother", which greatly eased his transition into the first team.{{sfn|Hunter|2012|p=53}}<ref name="LastJump">{{cite news |first=Rafael |last=Carbonell |title=El Último Salto de la 'Pulga' |trans-title=The Last Jump of the 'Flea' |newspaper=El País |date=26 October 2004 |language=es |url=http://elpais.com/diario/2004/10/26/deportes/1098741604_850215.html |access-date=19 July 2015}}</ref>
 
[[File:Leo messi barce 2005.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Messi playing against [[Málaga CF|Málaga]] in October 2005]]
 
To gain further match experience, Messi joined [[FC Barcelona C|Barcelona C]] in addition to the ''Juveniles'' A, playing his first game for the third team on 29 November. He helped save them from the relegation zone of the [[Tercera División]], scoring five goals in ten games, including a hat-trick in eight minutes during a [[2003–04 Copa del Rey|Copa del Rey]] match while man-marked by [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]]'s [[Sergio Ramos]].{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=68–71}}{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=183–185}} His progress was reflected in his first professional contract, signed on 4 February 2004, which lasted until 2012 and contained an initial [[buyout clause]] of €30&nbsp;million. A month later, on 6 March, he made his debut for Barcelona B in the [[Segunda División B]], and his buyout clause automatically increased to €80&nbsp;million.{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=68–71}}{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=262–263}} He played five games with the B team that season but did not score.<ref name="Matches 2003–04">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2003–04 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2003-04 |access-date=19 July 2015}}</ref> Physically he was weaker than his opponents, who were often much older and taller, and in training he worked on increasing his muscle mass and overall strength in order to be able to shake off defenders. Towards the end of the season, he returned to both youth teams, helping the ''Juveniles'' B win the league. He finished the campaign having scored for four of his five teams with a total of 36 goals in all official competitions.{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=68–71}}{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=183–185}}
 
During the [[2004–05 FC Barcelona season|2004–05 season]], Messi was a guaranteed starter for the B team, playing 17 games throughout the campaign and scoring on six occasions.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=246–249}}<ref name="Matches 2004–05">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2004–05 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2004-05 |access-date=19 July 2015}}</ref> Since his debut the previous November, he had not been called up to the first team again, but in October 2004, the senior players asked manager Frank Rijkaard to promote him.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=246–249}} Since Ronaldinho already played on the left wing, Rijkaard moved Messi from his usual position onto the right flank (though initially against the player's wishes), allowing him to cut into the centre of the pitch and shoot with his dominant left foot.{{sfn|Hunter|2012|pp=35–36}}<ref name="FTMag">{{cite web |first=Ronald |last=Reng |title=Lionel Messi |magazine=FT Magazine |date=27 May 2011 |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/cfa0d296-8672-11e0-9d5c-00144feabdc0.html |access-date=19 July 2015}}</ref> Messi made his league debut during the next match on 16 October, against [[RCD Espanyol|Espanyol]], coming on in the 82nd minute.<ref name="Serviette"/> At 17 years, three months, and 22 days old, he was at the time the youngest player to represent Barcelona in an official competition.<ref name="LastJump"/> As a substitute player, he played 77 minutes in nine matches for the first team that season, including his debut in the [[2004–05 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League]] against [[FC Shakhtar Donetsk|Shakhtar Donetsk]].<ref name="Matches 2004–05" /><ref>{{cite news |first=Andy |last=Mitten |title=Who Knew on His 2004 Debut That Lionel Messi Would Go so Far at Barcelona |newspaper=The National |date=16 October 2014 |url=http://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/who-knew-on-his-2004-debut-that-lionel-messi-would-go-so-far-at-barcelona |access-date=19 July 2015}}</ref> He scored his first senior goal on 1 May 2005, against [[Albacete Balompié|Albacete]], from an assist by Ronaldinho, becoming – at that time – the youngest-ever scorer for the club.{{sfn|Hunter|2012|pp=35–36}}<ref>{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Williams |title=Messi Has All the Qualities to Take World by Storm |newspaper=The Guardian |date=24 February 2006 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/feb/24/championsleague1 |access-date=19 July 2015}}</ref> Barcelona, in their second season under Rijkaard, [[2004–05 La Liga|won the league]] for the first time in six years.<ref name="MessiDriven">{{cite web |first=Graham |last=Hunter |title=Messi, Iniesta and Xavi Driven to Join the Champions League Elite |publisher=ESPN FC |date=4 June 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/club/barcelona/83/blog/post/2479062/messi-iniesta-xavi-can-join-champions-league-greats |access-date=19 July 2015}}</ref>
 
==== 2005–2008: Becoming a starting eleven player ====
{{quote box|width=33%|align=right|quote="In my entire life I have never seen a player of such quality and personality at such a young age, particularly wearing the 'heavy' shirt of one of the world's great clubs."|source=– [[Fabio Capello]] praises the 18-year-old Messi following the [[Joan Gamper trophy]] in August 2005.{{sfn|Hunter|2012|pp=264–265}}}}


On 24 June, his 18th birthday, Messi signed his first contract as a senior team player. It made him a Barcelona player until 2010, two years less than his previous contract, but his buyout clause increased to €150&nbsp;million.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=262–263}} His breakthrough came two months later, on 24 August, during the [[Joan Gamper Trophy]], Barcelona's pre-season competition. A starter for the first time, he gave a well-received performance against [[Fabio Capello]]'s [[Juventus F.C.|Juventus]], receiving an ovation from the [[Camp Nou]].{{sfn|Hunter|2012|pp=264–265}} While Capello requested to loan Messi, a bid to buy him came from [[Inter Milan]], who were willing to pay his €150&nbsp;million buyout clause and triple his wages.<ref>{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=Joan Laporta: 'Barcelona has been kidnapped. It's hostage to lies and it's sad' |newspaper=The Guardian |date=16 June 2017 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jun/16/joan-laporta-barcelona-board-resign-pep-guardiola-lionel-messi |access-date=27 July 2017}}</ref> According to then-president [[Joan Laporta]], it was the only time the club faced a real risk of losing Messi, but he ultimately decided to stay.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=272–276}} On 16 September, his contract was updated for the second time in three months and extended to 2014.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=262–263}}<ref name="Starlet">{{cite web |title=Starlet Messi Stays at Barça until 2014 |publisher=ESPN FC |date=17 September 2005 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/342857 |access-date=20 July 2015}}</ref>
Messi played his first professional match at 16 years old on 16 November 2003 against [[FC Porto|Porto]]. He played the 2003-04 season with the Barcelona B team. He was promoted to the A team for the 2004-05 season, and made his league debut on 16 October 2004 against [[R.C.D. Espanyol|Espanyol]] as a [[Substitute (association football)|substitute]]. He made his league debut at age 17, and became the youngest player to play for Barcelona's first team in an official competition. He scored his first professional goal on 1 May 2005 against [[Albacete Balompié|Albacete]] Balompie from a sublime assist by [[Ronaldinho]]. The goal made him the youngest-ever scorer for the club at that time. Barcelona won the [[La Liga]] that season for the first time in 6 years, and won the league for a second time in a row along with the [[Spanish Super Cup]] and [[UEFA Champions League]] in 2006.


[[File:Lionel Messi Barca training.jpg|thumb|Messi during a training session with Barcelona in August 2006]]
His first breakthrough season was in the 2006–07 season; he became a first team regular by scoring his first [[hat-trick]] of his career in [[El Clásico]]. On 18 April 2007, he scored a goal almost exactly identical to Maradona's "Goal of the Century" against [[England national football team|England]] in the [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986 World Cup]], where Maradona got the ball behind the halfway line on the right side and beat 4 defenders and the goalie to score. Messi's goal was similar to this; he received a pass from [[Xavi]] on the right side behind half-field, and then nut-megged an opponent and 4 others including the goalie before finishing off with his right foot inside the penalty box.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Messi Magic|date=7 June 2016|title=Messi Solo Goal vs Getafe ► Best Possible 1080p Quality|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMiL4_1Yewg|url-status=live|access-date=9 March 2021|website=Youtube}}</ref> In 2019, Barcelona fans voted it as the best goal in the club's history, receiving 45% of votes.<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 March 2019|title=Messi's goal against Getafe is the best in Barça's history according to the fans|url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/news/1133199/messis-goal-against-getafe-is-the-best-in-barcas-history-according-to-the-fans|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-09|website=www.fcbarcelona.com|language=en}}</ref> After Ronaldinho left the club at the end of the 2007-08 season, Messi was handed the number 10 shirt. The 2008-09 season was arguably one of the most successful seasons in his stellar career. In this season, Messi scored 38 goals in all competitions, including one in the [[2008–09 UEFA Champions League|Champions League final]] against [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] that Barcelona won 2–0 as part of their [[Treble (association football)|treble]]. In the following 2009–10 season, Messi scored 47 goals in all competitions. That levelled to [[Ronaldo]] Nazario's record total for Barcelona. Messi also won his first [[Ballon d'Or]] in December 2009, and also won his second a year later. He scored again in the [[2010–11 UEFA Champions League|2011 Champions League]] final against their same opponent two years earlier, Manchester United. Barcelona won 3-1. Messi won his third Ballon d'Or in a row that year.
 
Due to issues regarding his legal status in the [[Royal Spanish Football Federation]], Messi missed the start of [[2005–06 La Liga|La Liga]], but on 26 September, he acquired [[Spanish nationality law|Spanish citizenship]] and became eligible to play.<ref name="Starlet"/>{{sfn|Caioli|2012|p=91}} Wearing the number 19 shirt, he gradually established himself as the first-choice right winger, forming an attacking trio with Ronaldinho and striker [[Samuel Eto'o]].<ref name="Messiah"/>{{sfn|Hunter|2012|pp=266–269}}<ref name="MessiRonaldinho">{{cite web |title=Messi Has Ronaldinho's Number |publisher=FIFA |date=4 August 2008 |url=https://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/837/571/index.html |access-date=20 July 2015}}</ref> He was in the starting line-up in major matches like his first ''[[El Clásico|Clásico]]'' against rivals [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]] on 19 November, as well as Barcelona's away victory over [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] in the [[2005–06 UEFA Champions League knockout stage#Chelsea v Barcelona|last 16 round]] of the [[2005–06 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]],{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=279–284}}{{sfn|Hunter|2012|pp=266–269}} which came on back of an intense period of rivalry between the clubs leading a resentful Messi to state, "We would rather play Arsenal, Manchester United or anyone else than be on the pitch with Chelsea."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Angry Messi: We hate Chelsea |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/2368373/angry-messi-we-hate-chelsea |archive-url=https://archive.is/L609d |archive-date=5 Aug 2021 |work=Sky Sports |last=Stanton |first=Chris |date=2006}}</ref> After he had scored 8 goals in 25 games, including his first in the Champions League,<ref name="Matches 2005–06">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2005–06 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2005-06 |access-date=20 July 2015}}</ref> in a 5–0 win over [[Panathinaikos F.C.|Panathinaikos]] on 2 November 2005,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/history/video/0250-0c510c8330fd-3d48707e49f6-1000--messi-s-first-uefa-champions-league-goal/ |title=Messi's first UEFA Champions League goal |work=UEFA |date=2 November 2015}}</ref> his season ended prematurely during the return leg against Chelsea on 7 March 2006, when he suffered a torn hamstring. Messi worked to regain fitness in time for the Champions League [[2006 UEFA Champions League Final|final]], but on 17 May, the day of the final, he was eventually ruled out. He was so disappointed that he did not celebrate his team's victory over [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] in [[Paris]], something he later came to regret.<ref name="MessiDriven" />{{sfn|Hunter|2012|pp=266–269}}
 
While Barcelona began a gradual decline, the 19-year-old Messi established himself as one of the best players in the world during the [[2006–07 FC Barcelona season|2006–07 campaign]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Ingla: Rijkaard to Blame for Barça Decline |publisher=ESPN FC |date=19 May 2008 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/536834/rijkaard-to-blame-for-barca-decline-ingla |access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="NotBest">{{cite web |title=Messi: I'm Not the Best |publisher=FIFA |date=31 May 2007 |url=https://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/529/475/index.html |access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref> Already an idol to the ''[[Supporters of FC Barcelona|culés]]'', the club's supporters, he scored 17 goals in 36 games across all competitions.<ref name="NotBest"/><ref name="Matches 2006–07">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2006–07 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2006-07 |access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref> However, he continued to be plagued by major injuries; a metatarsal fracture sustained on 12 November 2006 kept him out of action for three months.<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Needs Surgery on Broken Foot |publisher=CNN |date=13 November 2006 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2006/SPORT/football/11/13/spain.messi/index.html |access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="ClosingIn">{{cite web |first=Graham |last=Hunter |title=Messi Closing in on Remarkable Record |publisher=ESPN FC |date=19 October 2011 |url=http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/columnist/hunter_graham/id/7117763/lionel-messi-closing-barcelona-all-time-scoring-record-graham-hunter-soccer |access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref> He recovered in time for the [[2006–07 UEFA Champions League knockout stage#First knockout round|last 16 round]] of the [[2006–07 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] against [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], but was effectively marked out of the game; Barcelona, the reigning champions, were out of the competition.{{sfn|Tomkins|2007|pp=130–132}} [[2006–07 La Liga|In the league]], his goal contribution increased towards the end of the season; 11 of his 14 goals came from the last 13 games.<ref name="Matches 2006–07"/> On 10 March 2007, he scored his first hat-trick in a ''Clásico'', the first player to do so in 12 years, equalising after each goal by Real Madrid to end the match in a 3–3 draw in injury time.<ref>{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=There's Something about Messi |newspaper=The Guardian |date=12 March 2007 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/mar/12/europeanfootball.sport1 |access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref> His growing importance to the club was reflected in a new contract, signed that month, which greatly increased his wages.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|p=302}}
 
[[File:Lionel Messi goal 19abr2007.jpg|thumb|left|Messi making his [[Argentina v England (1986 FIFA World Cup)#The Goal of the Century|Maradona-esque]] run against [[Getafe CF|Getafe]] in April 2007]]
 
Already frequently compared to compatriot [[Diego Maradona]], Messi proved their similarity when he nearly replicated Maradona's two most famous goals in the span of seven weeks.<ref name="Maradona">{{cite news |first=Christopher |last=Davies |title=Maradona Hails His Successor |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=24 February 2006 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2332685/Maradona-hails-his-successor.html |access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref> During a [[2006–07 Copa del Rey|Copa del Rey]] [[2006–07 Copa del Rey#Semi-finals|semi-final]] against [[Getafe CF|Getafe]] on 18 April, he scored a goal remarkably similar to Maradona's second goal in the quarter-finals of the [[1986 FIFA World Cup]], known as the [[Argentina v England (1986 FIFA World Cup)#The Goal of the Century|Goal of the Century]]. Messi collected the ball on the right side near the halfway line, ran {{convert|60|m|yard}}, and beat five defenders before scoring with an angled finish, just as Maradona had done.<ref name="Mission"/><ref>{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=The Greatest Goal Ever? |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=20 April 2007 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/2311407/The-greatest-goal-ever.html |access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref> A league match against Espanyol on 9 June saw him score by launching himself at the ball and guiding it past the goalkeeper with his hand in similar fashion to Maradona's [[Argentina v England (1986 FIFA World Cup)#"Hand of God" goal|Hand of God goal]] in the same World Cup match.<ref>{{cite news |first=Andy |last=Mitten |title=Hand of Messi Saves Barcelona |newspaper=The Times {{subscription required}} |date=10 June 2007 |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article1910271.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013021540/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article1910271.ece |archive-date=13 October 2008 |url-status=live |access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref> As Messi continued his individual rise, Barcelona faltered; the team failed to reach the [[2007 Copa del Rey Final|Copa del Rey final]] after Messi was rested during the second leg against Getafe and lost the league to Real Madrid on head-to-head results.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dónde Está Messi? Ahora Dónde Está Messi? |trans-title=Where Is Messi? Where Is Messi Now? |newspaper=El Mundo |date=11 May 2007 |language=es |url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/2007/05/10/futbol/1178831803.html |access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Beckham bows out with Liga title |work=BBC Sport |date=17 June 2007 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6759697.stm |access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref>
 
After Ronaldinho lost form, Messi became Barça's new star player at only 20 years old, receiving the nickname "[[Messiah]]" from the Spanish media.<ref name="Mission"/><ref>{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=Ronaldinho Misses Barcelona's Big Night Out |newspaper=The Guardian |date=24 September 2007 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/sep/24/europeanfootball.barcelona |access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=John |last=Carlin |title=Nou Sensation |newspaper=The Guardian |date=3 February 2008 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/feb/03/newsstory.barcelona |access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref> His efforts in 2007 also earned him award recognition; journalists voted him the third-best player of the year for the [[2007 Ballon d'Or]], behind [[Kaká]] and runner-up [[Cristiano Ronaldo]], while international managers and national team captains voted him [[2007 FIFA World Player of the Year|second]] for the [[FIFA World Player of the Year]] award, again behind Kaká.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=519–524}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Kaka Named FIFA World Player of the Year |publisher=ESPN FC |date=17 December 2007 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/491815/kaka-named-fifa-world-player-of-the-year |access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref> Although he managed to score 16 goals  during the [[2007–08 FC Barcelona season|2007–08 campaign]],<ref name="Matches 2007–08">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2007–08 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2007-08 |access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref> the second half of his season was again marred by injuries after he suffered a torn hamstring on 15 December.<ref name="Sidelined">{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Bright |title=Lionel Messi Sidelined for Six Weeks |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=6 March 2008 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/2293647/Lionel-Messi-sidelined-for-six-weeks.html |access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref> He returned to score twice in their away victory against [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] in the [[2007–08 UEFA Champions League knockout stage#First knockout round|last 16 round]] of the [[2007–08 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]], becoming the competition's top scorer at that point with six goals,<ref>{{cite web |first=Alex |last=O'Henley |title=Two for Messi as Barça See off Celtic |publisher=UEFA |date=21 February 2008 |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2008/matches/round=15106/match=301887/postmatch/report/index.html |access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref> but reinjured himself during the return leg on 4 March 2008. Rijkaard had fielded him despite warning from the medical staff, leading captain [[Carles Puyol]] to criticise the Spanish media for pressuring Messi to play every match.<ref name="Sidelined"/> Barcelona finished the season without trophies, eliminated in the [[2007–08 UEFA Champions League knockout stage#Semi-finals|Champions League semi-finals]] by the eventual [[2008 UEFA Champions League Final|champions]], [[Manchester United]], and [[2007–08 La Liga|placed third in the league]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Ronaldinho Cleared for Barça Exit |work=BBC Sport |date=19 May 2008 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/7408605.stm |access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref>
 
==== 2008–09: First treble ====
After two unsuccessful seasons, Barcelona were in need of an overhaul, leading to the departure of Rijkaard and Ronaldinho. Upon the latter's departure, Messi was given the [[Squad number (association football)|number 10]] shirt.<ref name="MessiRonaldinho"/> He signed a new contract in July with an annual salary of €7.8&nbsp;million, becoming the club's highest-paid player.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|p=472}}<ref name="Reluctant">{{cite news |first=Keyvan Antonio |last=Heydari |title=Messi: Amazing Talent in a Reluctant Star |newspaper=The New York Times |date=26 May 2009 |url=http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/26/messi-amazing-talent-in-a-reluctant-star/?_r=0 |access-date=24 July 2015}}</ref> Ahead of the new season, a major concern remained his frequent muscular injuries, which had left him side-lined for a total of eight months between 2006 and 2008. To combat the problem, the club implemented new training, nutrition, and lifestyle regimens, and assigned him a personal physiotherapist, who would travel with him during call-ups for the [[Argentina national football team|Argentina national team]]. As a result, Messi remained virtually injury-free during the next four years, allowing him to reach his full potential.<ref name="ClosingIn"/><ref>{{cite news |first=Phil |last=Barnett |title=Lionel Messi: A Rare Talent |newspaper=The Independent |date=1 December 2009 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/lionel-messi-a-rare-talent-1831871.html |access-date=24 July 2015 |archive-date=29 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329161932/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/lionel-messi-a-rare-talent-1831871.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Despite his injuries early in the year, his performances in 2008 saw him again voted runner-up for the [[2008 Ballon d'Or|Ballon d'Or]] and the [[2008 FIFA World Player of the Year#Results|FIFA World Player of the Year]] award, both times behind Cristiano Ronaldo.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=519–524}}<ref>{{cite news |first=Jamie |last=Jackson |title=Ronaldo Adds Fifa World Player of the Year to List of Accolades |newspaper=The Guardian |date=12 January 2009 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/jan/12/manchesterunited-ronaldo |access-date=24 July 2015}}</ref>
 
[[File:039 men at work UEFA 2009, Rome.jpg|thumb|Messi aiming to shoot during the [[2009 UEFA Champions League Final|Champions League final]] against [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] in May 2009]]
 
In his first uninterrupted campaign, the [[2008–09 FC Barcelona season|2008–09 season]], he scored 38 goals in 51 games, contributing alongside Eto'o and winger [[Thierry Henry]] to a total of 100 goals in all competitions, a record at the time for the club.<ref name="Matches 2008–09">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2008–09 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2008-09 |access-date=24 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Lee |last=Roden |title=Are Messi, Suarez and Neymar Barcelona's Best-Ever Front Three? |publisher=ESPN |date=20 April 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/club/barcelona/83/blog/post/2408047/barcelona-trio-of-lionel-messi-neymar-and-luis-suarez-the-clubs-best-ever |access-date=24 July 2015}}</ref> During his first season under Barcelona's new manager, former captain [[Pep Guardiola]], Messi played mainly on the right wing, like he had under Rijkaard, though this time as a false winger with the freedom to cut inside and roam the centre. During the ''Clásico'' on 2 May 2009, however, he played for the first time as a [[Forward (association football)#False 9|false nine]], positioned as a centre-forward but dropping deep into midfield to link up with [[Xavi]] and [[Andrés Iniesta]]. He set up his side's first goal and scored twice to end the match in an emphatic 6–2 victory, the team's greatest-ever score at Real Madrid's [[Santiago Bernabéu Stadium]].{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=453–459}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Real Madrid v Barcelona: Six of the Best 'El Clásicos' |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=9 December 2011 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/la-liga/8946213/Real-Madrid-v-Barcelona-six-of-the-best-El-Clasicos.html |access-date=24 July 2015}}</ref> Returning to the wing, he played his first final since breaking into the first team on 13 May, scoring once and assisting a second goal as Barcelona defeated [[Athletic Bilbao]] [[2009 Copa del Rey Final|4–1]] to win the [[2008–09 Copa del Rey|Copa del Rey]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Barcelona Defeat Athletic Bilbao to Win Copa del Rey |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=14 May 2009 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/5321324/Barcelona-defeat-Athletic-Bilbao-to-win-Copa-del-Rey.html |access-date=24 July 2015}}</ref> With 23 league goals from Messi that season, Barcelona became [[2008–09 La Liga|La Liga champions]] three days later and achieved its fifth [[Double (association football)|double]].<ref name="Matches 2008–09" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Barcelona's Title Celebrations Marred by Violence |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=17 May 2009 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/5338604/Barcelonas-title-celebrations-marred-by-violence.html |access-date=24 July 2015}}</ref>
 
As the season's [[List of European Cup and UEFA Champions League top scorers#Top scorers by seasons|Champions League top scorer]] with nine goals, the youngest in the tournament's history,<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Sweeps up Goalscoring Honours |publisher=UEFA |date=28 May 2009 |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=833286.html |access-date=26 July 2015}}</ref> Messi scored two goals and assisted two more to ensure a 4–0 [[2008–09 UEFA Champions League knockout phase#Quarter-finals|quarter-final]] victory over [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]].{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=453–459}} He returned as a false nine during the [[2009 UEFA Champions League Final|final]] on 27 May in [[Rome]] against Manchester United. Barcelona were crowned champions of Europe by winning the match 2–0, the second goal coming from a Messi header over goalkeeper [[Edwin van der Sar]]. Barcelona thus achieved the first [[Treble (association football)|treble]] in the history of Spanish football.<ref>{{cite news |first=Phil |last=McNulty |title=Barcelona 2–0 Man Utd |work=BBC Sport |date=27 May 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8060878.stm |access-date=26 July 2015}}</ref> This success was reflected in a new contract, signed on 18 September, which committed Messi to the club through 2016 with a new buyout clause of €250&nbsp;million, while his salary increased to €12&nbsp;million.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|p=472}}
 
==== 2009–10: First Ballon d'Or ====
His team's prosperity continued into the [[2009–10 FC Barcelona season|second half of 2009]], as Barcelona became the first club to achieve the sextuple, winning six top-tier trophies in a single year.<ref>{{cite web |first=Tom |last=Adams |title=The Treble Club |publisher=ESPN FC |date=21 May 2010 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/788735/the-treble-club-previous-winners |access-date=26 July 2015}}</ref> After victories in the [[2009 Supercopa de España|Supercopa de España]] and [[2009 UEFA Super Cup|UEFA Super Cup]] in August, Barcelona won the [[2009 FIFA Club World Cup|FIFA Club World Cup]] against [[Estudiantes de La Plata]] on 19 December, with Messi scoring the winning 2–1 goal with his chest.<ref>{{cite news |title=Barcelona Beat Estudiantes to Win the Club World Cup |work=BBC Sport |date=19 December 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8422908.stm |access-date=26 July 2015}}</ref> At 22 years old, Messi won the [[2009 Ballon d'Or|Ballon d'Or]] and the [[2009 FIFA World Player of the Year|FIFA World Player of the Year]] award, both times by the greatest voting margin in each trophy's history.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=519–524}}
 
{{quote box|width=30%|align=right|quote="Messi is the best player in the world by some distance. He's like a PlayStation. He can take advantage of every mistake we make."|source=– [[Arsène Wenger]] commends Messi for his four-goal display against [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] in April 2010.<ref>{{cite news |first=Keith |last=Stuart |title=Is the Real Lionel Messi Better than the Virtual One? |newspaper=The Guardian |date=7 April 2010 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/apr/07/lionel-messi |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref>}}
 
The new year, however, started on a less positive note for Barcelona, as they were knocked out of the [[2009–10 Copa del Rey#Round_of_16|Copa del Rey]] by [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]] in the Round of 16.<ref>{{cite news |first=Steve |last=Wilson |title=Barcelona knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Sevilla |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=14 January 2010 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/6986429/Barcelona-knocked-out-of-the-Copa-del-Rey-by-Sevilla.html |access-date=24 July 2021}}</ref> Unsatisfied with his position on the right wing – with the club's summer acquisition [[Zlatan Ibrahimović]] occupying the central forward role – Messi resumed playing as a false nine in early 2010, beginning with a [[2009–10 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] [[2009–10 UEFA Champions League knockout phase#Round of 16|last 16-round]] match against [[VfB Stuttgart]]. After a first-leg draw, Barcelona won the second leg 4–0 with two goals and an assist from Messi. At that point, he effectively became the tactical focal point of Guardiola's team, and his goalscoring rate increased.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=476–478}} Messi scored a total of 47 goals in all competitions [[2009–10 FC Barcelona season|that season]], equaling [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]]'s club record from the [[1996–97 FC Barcelona season|1996–97 campaign]].<ref name="Matches 2009–10">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2009–10 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2009-10 |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="Deserve">{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=La Liga Title the Least Barcelona Deserve as Madrid Again Finish Empty Handed |newspaper=The Guardian |date=17 May 2010 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2010/may/17/la-liga-title-barcelona-madrid |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref> He scored all of his side's four goals in the [[2009–10 UEFA Champions League knockout phase#Quarter-finals|Champions League quarter-final]] against [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] on 6 April while becoming Barcelona's all-time top scorer in the competition.<ref>{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title='Mythical, Universal, the Lord's Anointed One' – Spain Hails Leo Messi |newspaper=The Guardian |date=7 April 2010 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2010/apr/07/lionel-messi-spanish-press-reaction |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref> Although Barcelona were eliminated in the [[2009–10 UEFA Champions League knockout phase#Semi-finals|Champions League semi-finals]] by the eventual champions, [[Inter Milan]], Messi finished the season as top scorer (with 8 goals) for the second consecutive year.<ref>{{cite web |first=Andrew |last=Haslam |title=Messi Takes Scoring Plaudits |publisher=UEFA |date=22 May 2010 |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=1490400.html |access-date=27 July 2010}}</ref> As the league's top scorer with 34 goals (again tying Ronaldo's record), he helped Barcelona win a [[2009–10 La Liga|second consecutive La Liga]] trophy with only a single defeat and earned his first [[European Golden Shoe]].<ref name="Deserve"/><ref>{{cite news |first=Joseph |last=Wilson |title=Messi Receives Golden Boot for Top European Scorer |newspaper=U-T San Diego |date=30 September 2010 |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2010/sep/30/messi-receives-golden-boot-for-top-european-scorer/ |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref>
 
==== 2010–11: Fifth La Liga title and third Champions League ====
Messi secured Barcelona's first trophy of the [[2010–11 FC Barcelona season|2010–11 campaign]], the [[2010 Supercopa de España|Supercopa de España]], by scoring a hat-trick in his side's second-leg 4–0 victory over Sevilla, after a first-leg defeat.<ref>{{cite web |title=Magic Messi Wins Supercopa for Barça |publisher=ESPN FC |date=21 August 2010 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/816500/magic-lionel-messi-wins-supercopa-for-barca |access-date=27 July 2010}}</ref> Assuming a playmaking role, he was again instrumental in a ''Clásico'' on 29 November 2010, the first with José Mourinho in charge of Real Madrid, as Barcelona defeated their rivals 5–0.<ref>{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=David Villa Strikes Twice as Slick Barcelona Thrash Real Madrid |newspaper=The Guardian |date=29 November 2010 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/nov/29/barcelona-real-madrid-la-liga |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref> Messi helped the team achieve 16 consecutive league victories, a record in Spanish football, concluding with another hat-trick against [[Atlético Madrid]] on 5 February 2011.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi Stars as Barcelona Seal Record League Win |work=BBC Sport |date=6 February 2011 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/9388847.stm |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Most Consecutive Wins in the Top Division of Spanish football (Soccer) |work=Guinness World Records |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-consecutive-wins-in-the-top-division-of-spanish-football-(soccer) |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref> His club performances in 2010 [[2010 FIFA Ballon d'Or#Winners and nominees|earned him]] the inaugural [[FIFA Ballon d'Or]], an amalgamation of the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year award, though his win was met with some criticism due to his lack of success with Argentina at the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]].{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=519–524}}<ref name="BestPlayer">{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=Lionel Messi Is the World's Best Player but Xavi Deserved FIFA's Award |newspaper=The Guardian |date=11 January 2011 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/jan/11/lionel-messi-xavi-ballon-dor |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref> Under the award's old format, he would have placed just outside the top three, owing his win to the votes from the international coaches and captains.<ref name="BestPlayer"/>
 
Towards the end of the season, Barcelona played four ''[[El Clásico|Clásicos]]'' in the span of 18 days. A league match on 16 April ended in a draw after a penalty from Messi. After Barcelona lost the [[2011 Copa del Rey Final|Copa del Rey final]] four days later, Messi scored both goals in his side's 2–0 win in the first leg of the [[2010–11 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] [[2010–11 UEFA Champions League knockout phase#Semi-finals|semi-finals]] in Madrid, the second of which – a slaloming dribble past three Real players – was acclaimed as one of the best ever in the competition.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ronaldo's overhead kick and five other classic UCL goals |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fmGdOYFwHsE |publisher=UEFA.com. |access-date=23 June 2018}}</ref> Although he did not score, he was again important in the second-leg draw that sent Barcelona through to the [[2011 UEFA Champions League Final|Champions League final]],<ref>{{cite web |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=The Good, the Bad and the Ugly in the Aftermath of the Clásico Series |work=Sports Illustrated |date=5 May 2011 |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/sid_lowe/05/05/clasico.aftermath/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110508163612/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/sid_lowe/05/05/clasico.aftermath/index.html |archive-date=8 May 2011}}</ref>{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=494–499}} where they faced Manchester United in a repeat of the final two years earlier. As the competition's top scorer for the third consecutive year, with 12 goals, Messi gave a man-of-the-match performance at [[Wembley Stadium|Wembley]] on 28 May, scoring the match-winning goal of Barça's 3–1 victory.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top Scorer Messi Matches Van Nistelrooy Mark |publisher=UEFA |date=28 May 2011 |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=1634951.html |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Phil |last=McNulty |title=Barcelona 3–1 Man Utd |work=BBC Sport |date=28 May 2011 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/13576522 |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref> Barcelona won a [[2010–11 La Liga|third consecutive La Liga title]]. In addition to his 31 goals, Messi was also the league's top assist provider with 18.<ref name="Matches 2010–11">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2010–11 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2010-11 |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Spanish Primera División Statistics: Top Assists 2010–11 |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/15/statistics/assists?season=2010 |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref> He finished the season with 53 goals and 24 assists in all competitions, becoming Barcelona's all-time single-season top scorer and the first player in Spanish football to reach the 50-goal benchmark.<ref name="Matches 2010–11" /><ref name="Sublime">{{cite news |first1=Tony |last1=Cascarino |first2=Patrick |last2=Barclay |title=Is Sublime Lionel Messi the Greatest Footballer Ever? |newspaper=The Times |url-access=subscription |date=27 May 2011 |url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/europe/article3041129.ece |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref>
[[File:FC Barcelona Team 2, 2011.jpg|thumb|right|Messi (centre) and his teammates celebrating winning the [[2011 FIFA Club World Cup|FIFA Club World Cup]] in December 2011]]
As Messi developed into a combination of a number 8 (a creator), a 9 (scorer), and a 10 (assistant),<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.projectsportsmastery.com/lionel-messi-creator-scorer-assistant/ |title=Professional Soccer Training Drills – Lionel Messi a Combination |date=11 January 2018 |work=Project Sports Mastery|access-date=5 February 2018}}</ref> he scored an unprecedented 73 goals and provided 29 assists in all club competitions during the [[2011–12 FC Barcelona season|2011–12 season]], producing a hat-trick or more on 10 occasions.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|p=512}}<ref name="Matches 2011–12">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2011–12 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2011-12 |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Majid |last=Mohamed |title=Lionel Messi: The Best Goalscorer Ever but Is the Barcelona Player the Greatest-Ever Footballer? |newspaper=The Independent |date=10 December 2012 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/lionel-messi-the-best-goalscorer-ever-but-is-the-barcelona-player-the-greatestever-footballer-8398696.html |access-date=30 July 2015 |archive-date=25 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925211000/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/lionel-messi-the-best-goalscorer-ever-but-is-the-barcelona-player-the-greatestever-footballer-8398696.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> He began the campaign by helping Barcelona win both the [[2011 Supercopa de España|Spanish]] and [[2011 UEFA Super Cup|European Super Cups]]; in the Supercopa de España, he scored three times to achieve a 5–4 aggregate victory over Real Madrid, overtaking [[Raúl (footballer)|Raúl]] as the competition's all-time top scorer with eight goals.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tempers Flare into Brawl as Barcelona Beats Real Madrid |newspaper=USA Today |date=17 August 2011 |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/europe/2011-08-17-supercup-brawl-barcelona-real-madrid_n.htm |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Henry |last=Winter |title=Barcelona 2 Porto 0: Match Report |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=26 August 2011 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/8726103/Barcelona-2-Porto-0-match-report.html |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref> At the close of the year, on 18 December, he scored twice in the [[2011 FIFA Club World Cup|FIFA Club World Cup]] [[2011 FIFA Club World Cup Final|final]], a 4–0 victory over [[Santos FC|Santos]], earning the [[List of FIFA Club World Cup awards#Golden Ball|Golden Ball]] as the best player of the tournament, as he had done two years previously.<ref>{{cite news |title=Barcelona Win FIFA Club World Cup |work=BBC Sport |date=18 December 2011 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/16234168 |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref> For his efforts in 2011, he again received the [[2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or#Winners and nominees|FIFA Ballon d'Or]], becoming only the fourth player in history to win the Ballon d'Or three times, after [[Johan Cruyff]], [[Michel Platini]], and [[Marco van Basten]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Crowned World's Best |publisher=ESPN FC |date=9 January 2012 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/1006543/2011-fifa-ballon-dor-lionel-messi-crowned-worlds-best |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref> Additionally, he won the inaugural [[UEFA Best Player in Europe Award]], a revival of the old-style Ballon d'Or.<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Wins UEFA Best Player in Europe Award |publisher=UEFA |date=25 August 2011 |url=https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/awards/news/0250-0c50f3bb01f8-2230f3d90345-1000--messi-wins-uefa-best-player-in-europe-award/ |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref> By then, Messi was already widely considered one of the best footballers in history, alongside players like Diego Maradona and [[Pelé]].<ref name="BoyGenius"/>
 
==== 2012: A record-breaking year ====
{{quote box|width=33%|align=right|quote="I feel sorry for those who want to compete for Messi's throne – it's impossible, this kid is unique."|source=– [[Pep Guardiola]] after Messi became Barcelona's all-time top scorer at age 24 in March 2012<ref>{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Hayward |title=FIFA Ballon d'Or 2012: Lionel Messi Rewarded for Displays No Rival Could Ever Match |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=7 January 2013 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/lionel-messi/9786403/Fifa-Ballon-dOr-2012-Lionel-Messi-rewarded-for-displays-no-rival-could-ever-match.html |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref>}}
 
As Messi maintained his goalscoring form into the second half of the season, the year 2012 saw him break several longstanding records. On 7 March, two weeks after scoring four goals in a league fixture against [[Valencia CF|Valencia]], he scored [[European Cup and UEFA Champions League records and statistics#Five goals in a match|five times]] in a [[2011–12 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] [[2011–12 UEFA Champions League knockout phase#Round of 16|last 16-round]] match against [[Bayer 04 Leverkusen|Bayer Leverkusen]], an unprecedented achievement in the history of the competition.<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Scores Four as Barcelona Rout Valencia |publisher=CNN |date=20 February 2012 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2012/02/19/sport/football/football-barcelona-messi-milan/ |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Tom |last=Rostance |title=Lionel Messi Scores Five in Barcelona Champions League Win |work=BBC Sport |date=7 March 2012 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/17291685 |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref> In addition to being the joint top assist provider with five assists, this feat made him top scorer with 14 goals, tying [[José Altafini]]'s record from the [[1962–63 European Cup|1962–63 season]], as well as becoming only the second player after [[Gerd Müller]] to be top scorer in four campaigns.<ref>{{cite web |title=UEFA Champions League 2011–12: Statistics |publisher=UEFA |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2012/statistics/index.html |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Record-Breaking Messi Takes Top Scorer Honour |publisher=UEFA |date=19 May 2012 |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=1795767.html |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref> Two weeks later, on 20 March, Messi became the top goalscorer in Barcelona's history at 24 years old, overtaking the 57-year record of [[César Rodríguez (footballer, born 1920)|César Rodríguez]]'s 232 goals with a hat-trick against [[Granada CF|Granada]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi as Dominant as Michael Jordan, Claims Barcelona's Pep Guardiola, After He Breaks Goal Record |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=21 March 2012 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/lionel-messi/9157192/Lionel-Messi-as-dominant-as-Michael-Jordan-claims-Barcelonas-Pep-Guardiola-after-he-breaks-goal-record.html |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref>
 
[[File:FC Barcelona - Bayer 04 Leverkusen, 7 mar 2012 (07).jpg|thumb|left|Messi pointing to the sky following his record five-goal display against [[Bayer 04 Leverkusen|Bayer Leverkusen]] in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League in March 2012]]
 
Despite Messi's individual form, Barcelona's four-year cycle of success under Guardiola – one of the greatest eras in the club's history – drew to an end.<ref>{{cite news |first=Andy |last=Brassell |title=Pep Guardiola Leaves Lasting Legacy at Barcelona |work=BBC Sport |date=27 April 2012 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/17867892 |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref> Although Barcelona won the [[2011–12 Copa del Rey|Copa del Rey]] against Athletic Bilbao on 25 May, its 14th title of that period, the team [[2011–12 La Liga|lost the league]] to Real Madrid and was eliminated in the [[2011–12 UEFA Champions League knockout phase#Semi-finals|Champions League semi-finals]] by the eventual [[2012 UEFA Champions League Final|champions]], Chelsea, with Messi sending a crucial second-leg penalty kick against the crossbar.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pep Guardiola's Final Game: Barcelona Win Copa del Rey |work=BBC Sport |date=26 May 2012 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/18216611 |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Phil |last=Dawkes |title=Barcelona 2–2 Chelsea (agg 2–3) |work=BBC Sport |date=24 April 2012 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/17817584 |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref> In Barça's last home league match on 5 May, against Espanyol, Messi scored all four goals before approaching the bench to embrace Guardiola, who had announced his resignation as manager.<ref>{{cite news |title=Four-Goal Lionel Messi Gives Pep Guardiola Perfect Barcelona Send-Off |newspaper=The Guardian |date=5 May 2012 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/may/05/lionel-messi-four-goals-guardiola |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref> He finished [[2011–12 FC Barcelona season|the season]] as league top scorer in Spain and Europe for a second time, with 50 goals, a La Liga record, while his [[European association football club records#Most goals in a season|73 goals in all competitions]] surpassed [[Gerd Müller]]'s 67 goals in the [[1972–73 Bundesliga]] season, making him the single-season top scorer in the history of European club football.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi Receives Golden Boot Award as Europe's Top Scorer |work=Sports Illustrated |date=29 October 2012 |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2012/10/29/lionel-messi-golden-boot-barcelona-ap |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Smashes Müller's 40-Year Record |publisher=ESPN FC |date=9 December 2012 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/1258108/messi-breaks-40-year-record-with-86th-goal-of-2012 |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref>
 
Under manager [[Tito Vilanova]], who had first coached him aged 14 at ''La Masia'', Messi helped the club achieve its best-ever start to a [[2012–13 La Liga|La Liga season]] during the second half of 2012, amassing 55 points by the competition's midway point, a record in Spanish football.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ten-Man Barcelona Shocked by Sociedad |publisher=CNN |date=19 January 2013 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/01/19/sport/football/football-barcelona-defeat-sociedad/index.html |access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref> A double scored on 9 December against [[Real Betis]] saw Messi break two longstanding records: he surpassed César Rodríguez's record of 190 league goals, becoming Barcelona's all-time top scorer in La Liga, and Gerd Müller's record of most goals scored in a calendar year, overtaking his 85 goals scored in 1972 for Bayern Munich and [[Germany national football team|West Germany]].<ref>{{cite web |first=Iain |last=Rogers |title=Fatherhood Hasn't Slowed Record-Breaking Messi |work=Reuters |date=10 December 2012 |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/soccer-spain-messi-idUKL5E8NA1RM20121210 |access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref> Messi sent Müller a number 10 Barcelona shirt, signed "with respect and admiration", after breaking his 40-year record.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mueller Gets Messi's No. 10 Barcelona Shirt |work=Sports Illustrated |date=17 January 2013 |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2013/01/17/lionel-messi-gerd-mueller-jersey |access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref> At the close of the year, Messi had scored a record 91 goals in all competitions for Barcelona and Argentina.<ref name="MostDecorated">{{cite news |first=Majid |last=Mohamed |title=Barcelona's Lionel Messi Becomes Most Decorated Player in History after Winning Unprecedented Fourth Straight Ballon d'Or |newspaper=The Independent |date=8 January 2013 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/barcelonas-lionel-messi-becomes-most-decorated-player-in-history-after-winning-unprecedented-fourth-8441605.html |access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref> Although [[FIFA]] did not acknowledge the achievement, citing verifiability issues, he received the ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' title for most goals scored in a calendar year.<ref>{{cite news |title=FIFA Refuses to Back Lionel Messi or Godfrey Chitalu for Goal Record |work=BBC Sport |date=14 December 2012 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/20727929 |access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Barcelona Star Lionel Messi Sets New Goal-Scoring Record |work=Guinness World Records |date=10 December 2012 |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2012/12/barcelona-star-lionel-messi-sets-new-goalscoring-record-46285/ |access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref> As the odds-on favourite, Messi again won the [[2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or#Winners and nominees|FIFA Ballon d'Or]], becoming the only player in history to win the Ballon d'Or four times.<ref name="MostDecorated"/><ref>{{cite news |first=Saj |last=Chowdhury |title=Ballon d'Or Contenders Messi, Ronaldo and Iniesta in Profile |work=BBC Sport |date=9 January 2013 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/20910453 |access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref>
 
==== 2013–14: ''Messidependencia'' ====
Barcelona had virtually secured their La Liga title by the start of 2013, eventually equalling Real Madrid's 100-point record of the previous season. However, their performances deteriorated in the second half of the [[2012–13 FC Barcelona season|2012–13 campaign]], concurrently with Vilanova's absence due to ill health.<ref>{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=A Sense of Anticlimax but Barcelona Still Deserve Their La Liga Title |newspaper=The Guardian |date=13 May 2013 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/may/13/barcelona-title-anti-climax |access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref> After losing successive ''Clásicos'', including the [[2012–13 Copa del Rey|Copa del Rey]] [[2012–13 Copa del Rey#Semi-finals|semi-finals]], they were nearly eliminated in the [[2012–13 UEFA Champions League knockout phase#Round of 16|first knockout round]] of the [[2012–13 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] by [[A.C. Milan|AC Milan]], but a revival of form in the second leg led to a 4–0 comeback, with two goals and an assist from Messi.<ref>{{cite news |first=Matt |last=Monaghan |title=Barcelona 4–0 AC Milan (agg 4–2) |work=BBC Sport |date=12 March 2013 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/21747026 |access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref> Now in his ninth senior season with Barcelona, Messi signed a new contract on 7 February, committing himself to the club through 2018, while his fixed wage rose to €13&nbsp;million.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|p=556}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Signs New Barcelona Deal |publisher=CNN |date=7 February 2015 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/02/07/sport/football/football-leo-messi-barcelona/ |access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref> He wore the captain's armband for the first time a month later, on 17 March, in a league match against [[Rayo Vallecano]]; by then, he had become the team's tactical focal point to a degree that was arguably rivalled only by former Barcelona players [[Josep Samitier]], [[László Kubala]] and Johan Cruyff.<ref>{{cite web |first=Iain |last=Rogers |title=Captain Messi Inspires Another Barça League Triumph |work=Reuters |date=11 May 2013 |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-spain-messi-idUKBRE94A0GW20130511 |access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref> Since his evolution into a false nine three years earlier, his input into the team's attack had increased; from 24% in their treble-winning campaign, his goal contribution rose to more than 40% that season.{{sfn|Caioli|2015|loc=ch. 38}}
 
{{quote box|width=29%|align=left|quote="In Leo we are talking about the best player in the world and when things are not going well you have to use him. Even if he is half lame, his presence on the pitch is enough to lift us and our play in general."|source=– Defender [[Gerard Piqué]] explains Barcelona's reliance on an unfit Messi against [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]] in April 2013.<ref>{{cite news |first=Iain |last=Rogers |title=Andrés Iniesta Admission That Barcelona Suffer from 'Messi-Dependence' Proved against PSG |newspaper=The Independent |date=11 April 2013 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/andres-iniesta-admission-that-barcelona-suffer-from-messidependence-proved-against-psg-8568190.html |access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref>}}
 
After four largely injury-free seasons, the muscular injuries that had previously plagued Messi reoccurred. After he suffered a hamstring strain on 2 April, during the first [[2012–13 UEFA Champions League knockout phase#Quarter-finals|quarter-final]] against [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]], his appearances became sporadic. In the second leg against PSG, with an underperforming Barcelona down a goal, Messi came off the bench in the second half and within nine minutes helped create their game-tying goal, which allowed them to progress to the semi-finals. Still unfit, he proved ineffective during the first leg against Bayern Munich and was unable to play at all during the second, as Barcelona were [[2012–13 UEFA Champions League knockout phase#Semi-finals|defeated 7–0 on aggregate]] by the eventual champions.<ref name="Messidependencia">{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=Messidependencia Brought into Focus as Barcelona Show Vulnerability |newspaper=The Guardian |date=11 April 2013 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/apr/11/lionel-messi-barcelona-psg-champions-league |access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref> These matches gave credence to the notion of ''Messidependencia'', Barcelona's perceived tactical and psychological dependence on their star player.<ref name="Messidependencia"/>
[[File:Leo Messi v Almeria 020314 (extra crop).jpg|thumb|253x253px|Messi during a game against [[UD Almería|Almería]] in March 2014]]
Messi continued to struggle with injury throughout 2013, eventually parting ways with his long-time personal physiotherapist.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jack |last=De Menezes |title=Rumours of Lionel Messi Rift with Barcelona Rubbished Be Representatives of the Argentina International |newspaper=The Independent |date=14 November 2013 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/rumours-of-lionel-messi-rift-with-barcelona-rubbished-be-representatives-of-the-argentina-international-8939631.html |access-date=10 August 2015}}</ref> Further damage to his hamstring sustained on 12 May ended his goalscoring streak of 21 consecutive league games, a worldwide record; he had netted 33 goals during his run, including a four-goal display against [[CA Osasuna|Osasuna]], while becoming the first player to score consecutively against all 19 opposition teams in La Liga.<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Worry Mars Barca's Title Joy |publisher=CNN |date=13 May 2013 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/12/sport/football/messi-barcelona-psg-milan-football |access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Messi 'Breaks Record' by Scoring in 17th Consecutive La Liga Game |work=BBC Sport |date=10 March 2013 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/21732439 |access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref> With 60 goals in all competitions, including 46 goals in La Liga, he finished the campaign as league top scorer in Spain and Europe for the second consecutive year, becoming the first player in history to win the [[European Golden Shoe]] three times.<ref name="46Goals">{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi Awarded Golden Shoe for Third Time after 46 La Liga Goals for Barcelona |newspaper=The Independent |date=20 November 2013 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/lionel-messi-awarded-golden-shoe-for-third-time-after-46-la-liga-goals-for-barcelona-8951828.html |access-date=9 August 2015 |archive-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190522051148/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/lionel-messi-awarded-golden-shoe-for-third-time-after-46-la-liga-goals-for-barcelona-8951828.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Matches 2012–13">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2012–13 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2012-13 |access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref> Following an irregular start to the [[2013–14 FC Barcelona season|new season]] under manager [[Gerardo Martino]], formerly of his boyhood club Newell's Old Boys, Messi suffered his fifth injury of 2013 when he tore his hamstring on 10 November, leaving him sidelined for two months.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=587–592}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi Returns from Injury in Barcelona Victory |publisher=CNN |date=8 January 2013 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/01/08/sport/football/messi-barcelona-return/ |access-date=10 August 2015}}</ref> Despite his injuries, he was voted runner-up for the [[2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or|FIFA Ballon d'Or]], relinquishing the award after a four-year monopoly to Cristiano Ronaldo.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cristiano Ronaldo Wins FIFA Ballon D'or after Stellar Year at Real Madrid |newspaper=The Guardian |date=13 January 2014 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jan/13/cristiano-ronaldo-ballon-dor-winner-real-madrid |access-date=10 August 2015}}</ref>
 
During the second half of the 2013–14 season, doubts persisted over Messi's form, leading to a perception among the ''culés'' that he was reserving himself for the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]]. Statistically, his contribution of goals, shots, and passes had dropped significantly compared to previous seasons.<ref name="Overtaken">{{cite news |first=Andy |last=West |title=Real Madrid v Barcelona: Has Ronaldo Overtaken Messi? |work=BBC Sport |date=22 March 2014 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26651301 |access-date=10 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="OneFlick">{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=One Flick of Lionel Messi's Left Foot Ends Talk of Crisis at Barcelona |newspaper=The Guardian |date=12 March 2014 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/mar/12/lionel-messi-barcelona-champions-league-manchester-city |access-date=10 August 2015}}</ref> He still managed to break two longstanding records in a span of seven days: a hat-trick on 16 March against Osasuna saw him overtake [[Paulino Alcántara]]'s 369 goals to become Barcelona's top goalscorer in all competitions including friendlies, while another hat-trick against Real Madrid on 23 March made him the [[El Clásico#Top goalscorers|all-time top scorer]] in ''El Clásico'', ahead of the 18 goals scored by former Real Madrid player [[Alfredo Di Stéfano]].<ref name="Overtaken"/><ref>{{cite news |first=Pete |last=Jenson |title=Real Madrid 3 Barcelona 4 Match Report: Lionel Messi Hat-Trick Out-Guns Cristiano Ronaldo in Seven-Goal El Clásico Thriller |newspaper=The Independent |date=24 March 2014 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/real-madrid-3-barcelona-4-match-report-messi-hattrick-outguns-ronaldo-in-sevengoal-clasico-thriller-9211169.html |access-date=10 August 2015 |archive-date=25 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925211136/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/real-madrid-3-barcelona-4-match-report-messi-hattrick-outguns-ronaldo-in-sevengoal-clasico-thriller-9211169.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Messi finished the campaign with his worst output in five seasons, though he still managed to score 41 goals in all competitions.<ref name="OneFlick"/><ref name="Matches 2013–14">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2013–14 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2013-14 |access-date=10 August 2015}}</ref> For the first time in five years, Barcelona ended the season without a major trophy; they were defeated in the [[2013–14 Copa del Rey|Copa del Rey]] [[2014 Copa del Rey Final|final]] by Real Madrid and [[2013–14 La Liga|lost the league]] in the last game to Atlético Madrid, causing Messi to be booed by sections of fans at the Camp Nou.<ref>{{cite web |title=Barcelona's Lionel Messi: I Had a Lot of Problems during 2013–14 Season |publisher=ESPN FC |date=19 February 2014 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/barcelona/story/2306392/barcelona-lionel-messi-i-had-a-lot-of-problems-during-2013-14-season |access-date=10 August 2015}}</ref> After prolonged speculation over his future with the club, Messi signed a new contract on 19 May 2014, only a year after his last contractual update; his salary increased to €20&nbsp;million, or €36&nbsp;million before taxes, the highest wage in the sport.<ref name="Payroll">{{cite web |first=Roberto |last=Notarianni |title=Messi, la (Très) Bonne Paie |trans-title=Messi, the (Very) Good Payroll |magazine=France Football |date=25 March 2015 |url=http://www.francefootball.fr/news/Messi-la-tres-bonne-paie/545838 |access-date=10 August 2015}}</ref> It was reported that Vilanova played a key role in convincing Messi to stay<ref name=tito1>{{Cite news |title=Messi: 'Tito was the first person who had faith in me because at the time, I was a substitute or didn't play' |url=https://tribuna.com/en/news/fcbarcelona-2021-04-26-messi-tito-was-the-first-person-who-had-faith-in-me-because-at-the-time-i-was-a-substitut/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529103424/https://tribuna.com/en/news/fcbarcelona-2021-04-26-messi-tito-was-the-first-person-who-had-faith-in-me-because-at-the-time-i-was-a-substitut/ |archive-date=29 May 2021 |access-date=18 May 2021 |last=Schepanskyi |first=Den |work=Tribuna |url-status=live}}</ref> amid strong interest from [[Jose Mourinho|Mourinho]]'s Chelsea.<ref>{{Cite news |title=How Jose Mourinho persuaded Lionel Messi to join Chelsea from Barcelona in 2014 |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12103898/how-jose-mourinho-persuaded-lionel-messi-to-join-chelsea-from-barcelona-in-2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529121708/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12103898/how-jose-mourinho-persuaded-lionel-messi-to-join-chelsea-from-barcelona-in-2014 |date=15 Oct 2020 |archive-date=29 May 2021 |last1=Fiore |first1=Tommaso |first2=Gianluca |last2=Di Marzio |work=Sky Sports |location=United Kingdom |access-date=29 May 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
 
==== 2014–15: Second treble ====
[[File:Leo Messi v Granada 2014.jpg|thumb|Messi celebrating his second goal against [[Granada CF|Granada]] in September 2014]]
 
Under new manager and former captain [[Luis Enrique]], Messi experienced a largely injury-free start to the [[2014–15 FC Barcelona season|2014–15 season]], allowing him to break three more longstanding records towards the end of the year.<ref>{{cite web |first=Dermot |last=Corrigan |title=Gerardo Martino: Lionel Messi Feeling Mental, Physical Strain of Years at Top |date=19 December 2014 |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/story/2205947/lionel-messi-feeling-strain-of-years-at-top-for-barcelona-and-argentina-says-gerardo-martino |access-date=10 August 2015}}</ref> A hat-trick scored against Sevilla on 22 November made him the [[La Liga#Most goals|all-time top scorer in La Liga]], as he surpassed the 59-year record of 251 league goals held by [[Telmo Zarra]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi: Barcelona Forward Will Leave 'Unreachable' Record |work=BBC Sport |date=23 November 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/30165949 |access-date=10 August 2015}}</ref> A third hat-trick, scored against city rivals Espanyol on 7 December, allowed him to surpass César Rodríguez as the all-time top scorer in the ''[[Derbi barceloní]]'' with 12 goals.<ref>{{cite news |first=Ramon |last=Besa |title=El Derbi Es un Monólogo de Messi |trans-title=The Derby Is a Monologue of Messi |newspaper=El País |language=es |date=7 December 2014 |url=http://deportes.elpais.com/deportes/2014/12/07/actualidad/1417963145_479538.html |access-date=10 August 2015}}</ref> Messi again placed second in the [[2014 FIFA Ballon d'Or#Winners|FIFA Ballon d'Or]] behind Cristiano Ronaldo, largely owing to his second-place achievement with Argentina at the World Cup.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cristiano Ronaldo Wins Ballon D'or for Second Straight Year |publisher=ESPN FC |date=12 January 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/real-madrid/story/2240733/cristiano-ronaldo-wins-ballon-dor-for-second-straight-year |access-date=10 August 2015}}</ref>
 
At the start of 2015, Barcelona were perceived to be headed for another disappointing end to the season, with renewed speculation in the media that Messi was leaving the club. A turning point came on 11 January during a 3–1 victory over Atlético Madrid, the first time Barça's attacking trident of Messi, [[Luis Suárez]] and [[Neymar]], dubbed "MSN", each scored in a match, marking the beginning of a highly successful run.<ref>{{cite news |first=Lee |last=Roden |title=Barcelona, Messi and Enrique: What's Gone Wrong? |work=BBC Sport |date=8 January 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/30714018 |access-date=11 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="Transform">{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=Barcelona Transform Their Season from Trouble to a Possible Treble |newspaper=The Guardian |date=18 May 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/may/18/barcelona-la-liga-champions-sid-lowe |access-date=11 August 2015}}</ref> After five years of playing in the centre of the pitch, Messi had returned to his old position on the right wing late the previous year, by his own suggestion according to Suárez, their striker.<ref name="Transform"/><ref name="Motivated">{{cite news |first=Andy |last=West |title=Motivated Lionel Messi Transforms Barcelona's Hopes for Trophy Treble |work=BBC Sport |date=19 March 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/31956028 |access-date=11 August 2015}}</ref> From there, he regained his best – arguably his best-ever – form, while Suárez and Neymar ended the team's attacking dependency on their star player.<ref>{{cite web |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=Messi's Best-Ever Form? |publisher=ESPN FC |date=8 May 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.us/spanish-primera-division/15/blog/post/2439543/messi-best-real-madrid-champions-league-liga-strike-sid-lowe |access-date=11 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Francesc |last=Tomas |title=Barcelona Increasingly Gaining Messi Independence (and It's a Good Thing) |publisher=ESPN FC |date=22 April 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/club/barcelona/83/blog/post/2413578/barcelona-slowly-gaining-lionel-messi-independence |access-date=11 August 2015}}</ref> With 58 goals from Messi, the trio scored a total of 122 goals in all competitions that season, a record in Spanish football.<ref name="TooGood">{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=Barcelona's Luis Suárez, Leo Messi and Neymar Too Good for Juventus |newspaper=The Guardian |date=6 June 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jun/06/barcelona-luis-suarez-lionel-messi-juventus-champions-league-final |access-date=11 August 2015}}</ref>
 
[[File:Moment of the Champions League final FC Barcelona - Juventus 2015.jpg|thumb|left|Messi dribbling past [[Juventus F.C.|Juventus]] defender [[Patrice Evra]] during the [[2015 UEFA Champions League Final|UEFA Champions League Final]] in June 2015. Prior to the match, Juventus captain [[Gianluigi Buffon]] stated, "Messi is an alien that dedicates himself to playing with humans".<ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi Is 'an Alien That Dedicates Himself to Playing with Humans' Says Gianluigi Buffon |newspaper=The Guardian |date=2 June 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jun/02/lionel-messi-alien-gianluigi-buffon-juventus-barcelona |access-date=11 August 2015}}</ref>]]
Towards the end of the campaign, Messi scored in a 1–0 away win over Atlético Madrid on 17 May, securing the [[2014–15 La Liga|La Liga title]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Simon |last=Rice |title=Barcelona Win La Liga: Lionel Messi Strike Sees Barca Clinch 23rd Title at Home of Reigning Champions Atletico Madrid |newspaper=The Independent |date=17 May 2015 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/barcelona-win-la-liga-lionel-messi-goal-sees-barca-clinch-title-at-home-of-reigning-champions-atletico-madrid-10256854.html |access-date=11 August 2015}}</ref> Among his 43 league goals that season was a hat-trick scored in 11 minutes against Rayo Vallecano on 8 March, the fastest of his senior career; it was his 32nd hat-trick overall for Barcelona, allowing him to overtake Telmo Zarra with the most hat-tricks in Spanish football.<ref>{{cite web |title=Supporters, Superstars and Goals Galore |publisher=FIFA |date=11 March 2015 |url=https://www.fifa.com/news/y=2015/m=3/news=supporters-superstars-and-goals-galore-2557355.html |access-date=11 August 2015}}</ref> As the season's top assist provider with 18 he surpassed [[Luís Figo]] with the most assists in La Liga;{{refn|group=note|name="Assist statistics"|Assist statistics began in 1990.}} he made his record 106th assist in a fixture against [[Levante UD|Levante]] on 15 February, in which he also scored a hat-trick.<ref>{{cite web |title=Spanish Primera División Statistics: Top Assists 2014–15 |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/15/statistics/assists?season=2014 |access-date=11 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Messi También Es Leyenda en el Ranking Histórico de Asistencias |trans-title=Messi Is Also a Legend in the Historical Assist Ranking |publisher=La Liga BBVA |date=19 February 2015 |language=es |url=http://www.ligabbva.com/2544_liga-bbva/2958603_messi-tambien-es-leyenda-en-el-ranking-historico-de-asistencias.html |access-date=11 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711175250/http://www.ligabbva.com/2544_liga-bbva/2958603_messi-tambien-es-leyenda-en-el-ranking-historico-de-asistencias.html |archive-date=11 July 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Messi">{{cite web |first=Dermot |last=Corrigan |title=Messi Notches Assist Record |publisher=ESPN FC |date=15 February 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/story/2300728/messi-notches-assist-record;-suarez-very-happy-at-barca-says-luis-enrique |access-date=11 August 2015}}</ref> Messi scored twice as Barcelona defeated Athletic Bilbao 3–1 in the [[2014–15 Copa del Rey|Copa del Rey]] [[2015 Copa del Rey Final|final]] on 30 May, achieving the sixth double in their history. His opening goal was hailed as one of the greatest in his career; he collected the ball near the halfway line and beat four opposing players, before feinting the goalkeeper to score in a tight space by the near post.<ref>{{cite web |first=Dermot |last=Corrigan |title=Treble Comes into Focus as Messi Marches Barcelona to Copa Title |publisher=ESPN FC |date=30 May 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/blog/the-match/60/post/2472389/lionel-messi-marches-barcelona-to-copa-del-rey-final-win |access-date=11 August 2015}}</ref>
 
In the [[2014–15 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]], Messi scored twice and set up another in their 3–0 [[2014–15 UEFA Champions League knockout phase#Semi-finals|semi-final]] victory over Bayern Munich, now under the stewardship of Guardiola.<ref>{{cite news |first=Blair |last=Newman |title=If Lionel Messi Makes Pep Guardiola Feel Helpless, What Chance Do the Rest Have? |newspaper=The Guardian |date=7 May 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/07/pep-guardiola-lionel-messi-barcelona-bayern-munich |access-date=11 August 2015}}</ref> His second goal, which came only three minutes after his first, saw him [[Chip (association football)|chip]] the ball over goalkeeper [[Manuel Neuer]] after his dribble past [[Jérôme Boateng]] had made the defender drop to the ground; it went [[Internet meme|viral]], becoming the year's most tweeted about sporting moment, and was named the best goal of the season by [[UEFA]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Simon |last=Rice |title=Lionel Messi, Manchester United and Arsenal: The 10 Most Tweeted Sporting Moments of 2015 |newspaper=The Independent |date=7 December 2015 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/lionel-messi-manchester-united-arsenal-10-most-tweeted-about-sporting-moments-of-2015-a6762456.html |access-date=7 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Christopher |last=Chavez |title=Messi's Goal vs. Bayern Voted Europe's Best in 2014–15 |work=Sports Illustrated |date=27 August 2015 |url=https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2015/08/27/lionel-messi-goal-barcelona-bayern-munich-champions-league-jerome-boateng |access-date=4 September 2015}}</ref> Despite a second-leg loss, Barcelona progressed to the [[2015 UEFA Champions League Final|final]] on 6 June in [[Berlin]], where they defeated Juventus 3–1 to win their second treble, becoming the first team in history to do so.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Jurejko |title=Bayern Mun 3–2 Barcelona |work=BBC Sport |date=12 May 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32683310 |access-date=11 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Sam |last=Borden |title=Barcelona Overwhelms Juventus to Win Fifth Champions League Title |newspaper=The New York Times |date=6 June 2015 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/sports/soccer/barcelona-defeats-juventus-in-champions-league-final.html |access-date=11 August 2015}}</ref> Although Messi did not score, he participated in each of his side's goals, particularly the second as he forced a parried save from goalkeeper [[Gianluigi Buffon]] from which Suárez scored the match-winning goal on the rebound.<ref name="TooGood"/> In addition to being the top assist provider with six assists, Messi finished the competition as the joint top scorer with ten goals, which earned him the distinction of being the first player ever to achieve the top scoring mark in five Champions League seasons.<ref>{{cite web |title=UEFA Champions League 2014–15: Statistics |publisher=UEFA |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2015/statistics/index.html |access-date=11 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Ralph |last=Hannah |title=The Ultimate Record-Breaking Preview to the UEFA Champions League Final |work=Guinness World Records |date=5 June 2015 |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2015/6/the-ultimate-record-breaking-preview-champions-league-final |access-date=11 August 2015}}</ref> For his efforts during the season, he received the [[UEFA Best Player in Europe Award#2014–15|UEFA Best Player in Europe award]] for a second time.<ref name="Beats">{{cite web |first=Roger |last=Gonzalez |title=Messi Beats Ronaldo for 2014–15 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award |work=CBS Sports |date=27 August 2015 |url=http://www.cbssports.com/general/eye-on-sports/25282034/messi-beats-ronaldo-for-2014-15-uefa-best-player-in-europe-award |access-date=4 September 2015}}</ref>
 
==== 2015–16: Domestic success ====
[[File:Lionel Messi.png|thumb|upright|Messi holding off Sevilla's [[Éver Banega]] during the [[2015 UEFA Super Cup]] in [[Tbilisi]]]]
Messi opened the [[2015–16 FC Barcelona season|2015–16 season]] by scoring twice from [[Free kick (association football)|free kicks]] in Barcelona's 5–4 victory ([[Overtime (sports)|after extra time]]) over Sevilla in the [[2015 UEFA Super Cup|UEFA Super Cup]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi Says Free Kick Goals in UEFA Super Cup Were 'Lucky' |publisher=ESPN FC |date=11 August 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.us/barcelona/story/2559713/lionel-messi-calls-free-kick-goals-in-uefa-super-cup-lucky |access-date=4 September 2015}}</ref> On 16 September, he became the youngest player to make 100 appearances in the [[2015–16 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League]] in a 1–1 away draw to [[A.S. Roma|Roma]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/uefa-champions-league-chelsea-as-roma-barcelona-messi-arsenal-florenzi/ |title=Florenzi's goal vs. Barca one for the ages |publisher=Sports Net |first=John |last=Molinaro |date=16 September 2015 |access-date=16 September 2015}}</ref> After a knee injury, he returned to the pitch on 21 November, making a substitute appearance in Barcelona's 4–0 away win over rivals Real Madrid in ''El Clásico''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/34849342 |title=Real Madrid 0 – Barcelona 4 |publisher=BBC Sport.com |first=Gary |last=Rose |date=21 November 2015 |access-date=21 December 2015}}</ref> Messi capped off the year by winning the [[2015 FIFA Club World Cup]] [[2015 FIFA Club World Cup Final|Final]] on 20 December, collecting his fifth club trophy of 2015 as Barcelona defeated [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]] 3–0 in [[Yokohama]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.us/fifa-club-world-cup/story/2765338/lionel-messi-club-world-cup-shows-barcelona-are-world-best |title=Lionel Messi: Club World Cup triumph proves Barcelona are 'best in the world' |publisher=ESPN FC |first=Dermot |last=Corrigan |date=20 December 2015 |access-date=21 December 2015}}</ref> On 30 December, Messi scored on his 500th appearance for Barcelona, in a 4–0 home win over Real Betis.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/match-archive/2015-2016/league/round-17/fc-barcelona_real-betis-balompie |title=FC Barcelona claim 4–0 victory over Betis and top spot to end 2015 |publisher=FC Barcelona |first=Michael |last=Toll |date=30 December 2015 |access-date=31 December 2015}}</ref>
 
On 11 January 2016, Messi won the [[2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or|FIFA Ballon d'Or]] for a record fifth time in his career.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.com/blog/fifa/243/post/2784555/lionel-messi-wins-2015-ballon-dor-ahead-of-ronaldo-neymar |title=Lionel Messi wins 2015 Ballon d'Or ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar |first=Dermot |last=Corrigon |date=12 January 2016}}</ref> On 3 February, he scored a hat-trick in Barcelona's 7–0 win against Valencia in the first leg of the [[2015–16 Copa del Rey|Copa del Rey]] [[2015–16 Copa del Rey#Semi-finals|semi-final]] at the Camp Nou.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/02/03/lionel-messis-500th-goal-shows-off-scintillating-skill/ |title=Lionel Messi's 500th goal shows off scintillating skill |work=The Washington Post |first=Des |last=Bieler |date=3 February 2016 |access-date=17 February 2016}}</ref> In a 6–1 home win against [[RC Celta de Vigo|Celta Vigo]] in the league, Messi assisted Suárez from a [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty kick]]. Some saw it as "a touch of genius", while others criticised it as being disrespectful to the opponent. The Celta players never complained and their coach defended the penalty, stating, "Barca's forwards are very respectful." The penalty routine has been compared to that of ''Barça'' icon Johan Cruyff in 1982, who was battling lung cancer, leading many fans to indicate that the penalty was a tribute to him. Cruyff himself was "very happy" with the play, insisting "it was legal and entertaining".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35578309 |title=Barcelona penalty: Was it disrespectful or a touch of genius? |date=15 February 2016 |work=[[BBC Sport]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2016/02/14/messi-suarez-team-up-for-audacious-penalty-kick.html |title=Messi, Suarez team up for audacious penalty kick |date=14 February 2016 |publisher=[[Fox News Channel]]}}</ref>
 
On 17 February, Messi reached his 300th league goal in a 1–3 away win against [[Sporting de Gijón]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/leo-messi-breaks-the-300-goal-barrier-in-the-league |title=Leo Messi breaks the 300 goal barrier in the league |publisher=FC Barcelona |date=18 February 2016}}</ref> A few days later, he scored both goals in Barcelona's 0–2 win against Arsenal at the [[Emirates Stadium]], in the first leg of the [[2015–16 UEFA Champions League]] [[2015–16 UEFA Champions League knockout phase#Round of 16|round of 16]], with the second goal being Barcelona's 10,000th in official competitions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/barca-reach-10-000-goals-in-official-competition |title=Barça reach 10,000 goals in official competition |publisher=FC Barcelona |date=23 February 2016}}</ref> On 17 April, Messi ended a five-match scoring drought with his 500th senior career goal for club and country in Barcelona's 2–1 home loss to Valencia.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2016/04/17/lionel-messi-scores-500th-goal-video-barcelona-argentina |title=Messi scores 500th goal: Barcelona star nets milestone |work=Sports Illustrated |date=17 April 2016 |access-date=17 April 2016}}</ref> Messi finished the 2015–16 season by setting up both goals in Barcelona's 2–0 extra time win over Sevilla in the [[2016 Copa del Rey Final]], at the [[Vicente Calderón Stadium]], on 22 May 2016, as the club celebrated winning the domestic double for the second consecutive season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marca.com/eventos/marcador/futbol/2015_16/copa/final/bar_sev/ |title=Messi sirve el doblete|trans-title=Messi hands out double |work=Marca |location=Spain |language=es |date=22 May 2016 |access-date=23 May 2016}}</ref> In total, Messi scored 41 goals and provided 23 assists, as Barcelona's attacking trio managed a Spanish record of 131 goals throughout the season, breaking the record they had set the previous season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/messi-suarez-and-neymar-jr-end-season-with-131-goals |title=Messi, Suárez and Neymar Jr end season with 131 goals |publisher=FC Barcelona |first=Robert |last=Güell |date=23 May 2016 |access-date=24 May 2016}}</ref>
 
==== 2016–17: Fourth Golden Boot ====
{{quote box|width=33%|align=left|quote="[Messi] is indispensable, but the rest of us are dispensable. – No, the club is bigger than any manager, than any player... except Leo. That's the reality, and you have to accept it."|source=– In an interview with Barcelona's official magazine, [[Javier Mascherano]] outlines Messi's importance to the team.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi is bigger than Barcelona and indispensable – Javier Mascherano |work=ESPN FC |date=17 February 2017 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/barcelona/story/3062002/lionel-messi-is-bigger-than-barcelona-and-indispensable-javier-mascherano |access-date=20 February 2017 |last=Marsden |first=Samuel}}</ref>}}
 
Messi opened the [[2016–17 FC Barcelona season|2016–17 season]] by lifting the [[2016 Supercopa de España]] as Barcelona's captain in the absence of the injured Andrés Iniesta;<ref>{{cite news |url=http://deportes.elpais.com/deportes/2016/08/18/actualidad/1471475075_599601.html |title=Messi levanta la Supercopa|trans-title=Messi lifts the Supercup |work=El País |language=es |first=Ramon |last=Besa |date=18 August 2016 |access-date=18 August 2016}}</ref> he set-up [[Munir El Haddadi|Munir]]'s goal in a 2–0 away win over Sevilla in the first leg on 14 August,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2016/08/15/57b0ea7522601dc5638b45b4.html |title=Barça tame Sevilla in Super Cup |work=Marca |location=Spain |first=Arch |last=Bell |date=15 August 2016 |access-date=15 August 2016}}</ref> and subsequently scored in a 3–0 win in the return leg on 17 August.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.football-espana.net/60510/barca-seal-supercopa-de-espana |title=Barca seal Supercopa de Espana |publisher=Football España |date=17 August 2016 |access-date=18 August 2016}}</ref> Three days later, he scored two goals as Barcelona won 6–2 against Real Betis in the opening game of the [[2016–17 La Liga]] season.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.eurosport.com/football/liga/2016-2017/barcelona-v-real-betis-live_sto5731413/story.shtml |title=Luis Suarez plunders hat-trick, Lionel Messi scores twice as Barca smash six past Betis |date=20 August 2016|access-date=21 August 2016}}</ref> On 13 September, Messi scored his first hat-trick of the season in the opening game of the [[2016–17 UEFA Champions League]] campaign against [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] in a 7–0 victory; this was also Messi's sixth hat-trick in the Champions League, the most by any player. A week later, Messi sustained a [[groin]] injury in a 1–1 draw against Atlético Madrid and was ruled out with injury for three weeks.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/news/2016-2017/leo-messi-out-for-three-weeks |title=Leo Messi out for three weeks |publisher=FC Barcelona|access-date=22 September 2016}}</ref> He marked his return with a goal, scoring three minutes after coming off the bench in a 4–0 home win over [[Deportivo de La Coruña]], on 16 October.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.beinsports.com/us/laliga/video/lionel-messi-scores-in-his-return-as-barcelon/353223 |title=Lionel Messi Scores in His Return as Barcelona Roll Past Deportivo La Coruña |publisher=beIN SPorts |date=15 October 2016 |access-date=15 October 2016}}</ref> Three days after this, he netted his thirty-seventh club hat-trick as Barcelona defeated [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] 4–0.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/barcelona-vs-man-city/366886 |title=Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick as 10-man Manchester City lost 4–0 on Pep Guardiola's return to Barcelona in the Champions League. |publisher=Sky Sports |first=Jack |last=Wilkinson |date=20 October 2016 |access-date=4 November 2017}}</ref> On 1 November, Messi scored his 54th Champions League group stage goal in Barcelona's 3–1 away loss to Manchester City, surpassing the previous record of 53 goals held by Raúl.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/watch-lionel-messi-score-to-pass-raul-for-most-goals-in-the-ucl-group-stage-110116 |title=Watch Lionel Messi score to pass Raul for most goals in the UCL group stage |work=Fox Sports |first=Alex |last=Dowd |date=1 November 2016 |access-date=4 November 2016}}</ref>
 
[[File:Leo Messi 2016.PNG|thumb|upright|Messi prior to a friendly game with [[Al Ahli SC (Doha)|Al Ahli SC]] in [[Doha]], Qatar in December 2016]]
Messi finished the year with 51 goals, making him Europe's top scorer, one ahead of Zlatan Ibrahimović.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/top-goal-scorers-in-2016-messi-claims-crown-ibrahimovic-and-ronaldo-follow |title=Top goal scorers in 2016: Messi claims crown, Ibrahimovic and Ronaldo follow |work=CBS Sports |first=Roger |last=Gonzalez |date=31 December 2016 |access-date=12 February 2017}}</ref> After placing second in the [[2016 Ballon d'Or]], on 9 January 2017 Messi also finished in second place – behind Cristiano Ronaldo once again – in the [[The Best FIFA Football Awards 2016#The Best FIFA Men's Player|2016 Best FIFA Men's Player Award]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2017/01/09/football/ronaldo-fifa-best-player-award-messi-football/ |title=Cristiano Ronaldo wins Best FIFA Men's Player 2016 award |publisher=CNN |date=9 January 2017 |access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref> On 11 January, Messi scored from a free-kick in Barcelona's 3–1 victory against Athletic Bilbao in the second leg of the [[2016–17 Copa del Rey#Round of 16|round of 16]] of the [[2016–17 Copa del Rey|Copa del Rey]], which enabled Barcelona to advance to the [[2016–17 Copa del Rey#Quarter-finals|quarter-finals]] of the competition; with his 26th goal from a free-kick for Barcelona in all competitions, he equalled the club's all-time record, which had previously been set by [[Ronald Koeman]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.us/barcelona/story/3036856/lionel-messi-equals-ronald-koemans-barcelona-free-kick-record |title=Lionel Messi equals Ronald Koeman's Barcelona free-kick record |publisher=ESPN FC |date=11 January 2017 |access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref> In his next league match, on 14 January, Messi scored in a 5–0 win against [[UD Las Palmas|Las Palmas]]; with this goal, he equalled Raúl's record for the most teams scored against in La Liga (35).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/watch-lionel-messi-record-for-the-most-teams-scored-against-in-la-liga-011417 |title=Watch Lionel Messi match record for the most La Liga teams scored against |work=Fox Sports |first=Caitlin |last=Murray |date=14 January 2017 |access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref>
 
On 4 February 2017, Messi scored his 27th free-kick for Barcelona in a 3–0 home win over Athletic Bilbao in the league, overtaking Koeman as the club's all-time top-scorer from free-kicks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11833/10756916/lionel-messi-embarrasses-gorka-iraizoz-with-free-kick-for-barcelona |title=Lionel Messi embarrasses Gorka Iraizoz with free-kick for Barcelona |publisher=Sky Sports |first=Paul |last=Green |date=4 February 2017 |access-date=5 February 2017}}</ref> On 23 April, Messi scored twice in a 3–2 away win over Real Madrid. His game-winning goal in stoppage time was his 500th for Barcelona.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.com/barcelona/story/3106811/lionel-messi-scores-500th-goal-for-barcelona-against-real-madrid |title=Lionel Messi scores 500th goal for Barcelona against Real Madrid |publisher=ESPN FC |date=23 April 2017 |access-date=24 April 2017}}</ref> His memorable [[Goal celebration|celebration]] saw him taking off his Barcelona shirt and holding it up to incensed Real Madrid fans – with his name and number facing the crowd.<ref>{{cite news |title=Real Madrid-Barcelona: Celebrations in enemy territory |url=http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2017/04/24/58fe5ed8ca47413f548b461c.html |access-date=9 October 2018 |work=Marca}}</ref> On 27 May, Messi scored a goal and set up another for [[Paco Alcácer]] in the [[2017 Copa del Rey Final]], helping Barcelona to a 3–1 victory over [[Deportivo Alavés|Alavés]], and was named [[Player of the match|Man of the Match]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/27/barcelona-alaves-copa-del-rey-final |title=Lionel Messi inspires Barcelona to Copa del Rey final triumph against Alavés |work=The Guardian |date=27 May 2017 |access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref> In total, Messi finished the 2016–17 season with 54 goals and 16 assists, while his 37 goals in La Liga saw him claim both the [[Pichichi Trophy|Pichichi]] and European Golden Boot Awards for the fourth time in his career.<ref name="MessiFourthGoldenShoe">{{cite web |url=http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2017/11/24/5a182794268e3ef82a8b4639.html |title=Messi receives fourth Golden Shoe Award: Each day I enjoy it more |work=Marca |location=Spain |date=24 November 2017 |access-date=24 November 2017}}</ref>
 
==== 2017–18: Domestic double and a record fifth Golden Boot ====
Messi opened the [[2017–18 FC Barcelona season|2017–18 season]] by converting a penalty in Barcelona's 1–3 first leg home defeat to Real Madrid in [[2017 Supercopa de España|Supercopa de España]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.com/report?gameId=479398 |title=Ronaldo goal, red card in Real Madrid win against Barcelona |publisher=ESPN FC |date=14 August 2017 |access-date=27 August 2017}}</ref> Thereby, Messi also extended his ''El Clásico'' goalscoring record with the goal being his 24th official and 25th overall.<ref name="El ClasicoLM">{{Cite web |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/news/2017-2018/social-networks-leo-messi-and-luis-suarez-call-for-optimism |title=Leo Messi and Luis Suárez call for optimism |publisher=FC Barcelona |date=14 August 2017 |access-date=27 August 2017}}</ref>
On 9 September, Messi scored his first hat-trick of the 2017–18 league campaign, against Espanyol in ''Derbi barceloní'', thus helping to secure a 5–0 home victory for ''Blaugrana'' over local rivals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.com/report?gameId=490682 |title=Lionel Messi's hat trick guides Barcelona's win over local rivals Espanyol |publisher=ESPN FC |date=9 September 2017 |access-date=10 September 2017}}</ref> Messi netted twice against Gianluigi Buffon, on 12 September, as Barça defeated the [[2016–17 Serie A|last season's Italian champions]] Juventus 3–0 at home in the [[2017–18 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.com/blog/the-match/60/post/3201936/lionel-messi-scores-twice-as-barcelona-get-revenge-on-juventus |title=Lionel Messi scores twice as Barcelona get revenge on Juventus in UCL |last=Marsden |first=Samuel |date=12 September 2017 |publisher=ESPN FC |access-date=13 September 2017}}</ref> On 19 September, Messi found the net four times in a 6–1 trashing of [[SD Eibar|Eibar]] at the Camp Nou in [[2017–18 La Liga|La Liga]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.com/barcelona/story/3208658/lionel-messi-creates-something-from-nothing-for-barcelona-valverde |title=Lionel Messi creates something from nothing for Barcelona – Valverde |publisher=ESPN FC |date=19 September 2017 |access-date=20 September 2017 |first=Samuel |last=Marsden}}</ref> Three weeks later, on 1 October, Messi surpassed his former teammate Carles Puyol to become the third highest appearance maker in the club's history, as he helped Barça defeat Las Palmas 3–0 by assisting [[Sergio Busquets]]' opener and later adding two himself in his 594th official game for the club; the league game was played behind closed doors at the Camp Nou due to violence in [[Catalonia]] relating to an [[2017 Catalan independence referendum|ongoing independence referendum]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/barcelona-messi-empty-nou-camp-11270684 |title=Barcelona 3–0 Las Palmas: Lionel Messi nets brace in front of empty Nou Camp – 5 talking points |work=The Mirror |date=1 October 2017 |access-date=2 October 2017}}</ref>
 
On 18 October, in his 122nd European club appearance, Messi scored his 97th UEFA Champions League goal, and his 100th in all UEFA club competitions, in a 3–1 home victory over [[Olympiacos F.C.|Olympiacos]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/41624714 |title=Barcelona 3–1 Olympiakos |work=BBC Sport |date=18 October 2017 |access-date=18 October 2017}}</ref> Messi became only the second player after Cristiano Ronaldo to reach this century milestone, but accomplished it in 21 fewer appearances than the Portuguese counterpart.<ref name="UEFA100">{{Cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2447481.html |title=Messi emulates Ronaldo with 100th European goal |date=18 October 2017 |access-date=19 October 2017 |publisher=UEFA}}</ref> On 4 November, he made his 600th appearance for Barcelona in a 2–1 home win over Sevilla in La Liga.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kwese.espn.com/football/barcelona/story/3258275/lionel-messi-marks-600th-barcelona-appearance-in-win-over-sevilla |title=Lionel Messi marks 600th Barcelona appearance in win over Sevilla |publisher=ESPN FC |first=Sam |last=Marsden |date=4 November 2017 |access-date=4 November 2017}}</ref> Following the reception of his fourth [[European Golden Shoe|Golden Boot]], Messi signed a new deal with Barcelona on 25 November, keeping him with the club through the [[2020–21 FC Barcelona season|2020–21 season]]. His [[buyout clause]] was set at €700&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/news/2017-2018/video-lionel-messi-signs-new-contract-fc-barcelona |title=Lionel Messi signs new deal through 2020/21 season |publisher=FC Barcelona |date=25 November 2017|access-date=25 November 2017}}</ref> On 7 January 2018, Messi made his 400th La Liga appearance with Barcelona in a 3–0 home win over Levante, marking the occasion with his 144th league assist and 365th league goal for the club, the latter of which saw him equal Gerd Müller's record for the most league goals scored for the same club in one of Europe's top five divisions.<ref name="Muller">{{cite web |url=http://www.beinsports.com/en/la-liga/news/messi-breaks-muller-goal-record/761806 |title=Messi breaks Muller goal record |publisher=beinsports.com |date=14 January 2018 |access-date=14 January 2018}}</ref> A week later, he broke the record, scoring his 366th La Liga goal from a free kick in a 4–2 away win against [[Real Sociedad]].<ref name="Muller"/>
 
On 4 March, he scored his 600th senior career goal from a free kick in a 1–0 home win over Atlético Madrid, in La Liga.<ref>{{cite news |last=West |first=Andy |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43279527 |title=Barcelona 1–0 Atlético Madrid |work=BBC Sport |date=4 March 2018 |access-date=4 March 2018}}</ref> On 14 March, Messi scored his 99th and 100th Champions League goals in a 3–0 home win over Chelsea, becoming only the second player after Cristiano Ronaldo to reach this landmark, in fewer appearances, at a younger age and having taken fewer shots than his Portuguese counterpart.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/faster-and-younger-rival-ronaldo-magical-messis-100-champions-league-goals-opta-numbers |title=Faster and younger than rival Ronaldo – Magical Messi's 100 Champions League goals in Opta numbers |work=FourFourTwo |access-date=14 March 2018 |date=14 March 2018}}</ref> His opening goal, which came after only two minutes and eight seconds, was also the fastest of his career, as Barcelona advanced to the [[2017–18 UEFA Champions League knockout phase#Quarter-finals|quarter-finals]] of the [[2017–18 UEFA Champions League|competition]] for the eleventh consecutive season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://latimes.com/sports/la-sp-champions-league-messi-20180314-story.html |title=Lionel Messi scores 100th Champions League goal in Barcelona's 3–0 victory over Chelsea |work=Los Angeles Times |date=14 March 2018 |access-date=14 March 2018}}</ref> On 7 April, he scored a hat-trick in a 3–1 win over [[CD Leganés|Leganés]] including his sixth goal scored from a free-kick for the season, matching the record set by former teammate Ronaldinho.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.sport-english.com/en/news/barca/lionel-messi-equals-the-record-of-ronaldinho-6741843 |title=Lionel Messi equals the record of Ronaldinho |publisher=Sport |last=Gimeno |first=Francesc J. |date=7 April 2018 |access-date=8 April 2018}}</ref> He once again finished the season as the top scorer in La Liga, with 34 goals, which also saw him win his fifth Golden Shoe award.<ref name="Messi5thGoldenShoe">{{cite web|date=20 May 2018|title=Messi Wins Fifth Golden Shoe After Winning Pichichi Trophy|url=https://www.goal.com/en/amp/news/messi-set-for-fifth-golden-shoe-after-winning-pichichi/16zqsqe8e9tr3187k929hjiwpt|access-date=20 May 2018|publisher=[[Goal (website)|Goal]]}}</ref> On 21 April, Messi scored Barcelona's second goal – his 40th of the season – in a 5–0 win over Sevilla in the [[2018 Copa del Rey Final]], later also setting up Suárez's second goal; this was Barcelona's fourth consecutive title and their 30th overall.<ref name="2018CdR">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43845692 |title=Sevilla 0–5 Barcelona |work=[[BBC Sport]] |date=21 April 2018 |access-date=21 April 2018}}</ref> On 29 April, Messi scored a hat-trick in a 4–2 away win over Deportivo de La Coruña, which saw Barcelona claim their 25th league title.<ref name=deportivo>{{cite news |last=Abrahams |first=Timothy |title=Deportivo La Coruna 2–4 Barcelona |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43928594 |access-date=29 April 2018 |work=BBC Sport |date=29 April 2018}}</ref> On 9 May, Messi scored as Barcelona defeated [[Villarreal CF|Villarreal]] 5–1 to set the [[Football records in Spain#Games without a loss|longest unbeaten streak]] (43 games) in La Liga history.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/match-archive/2017-2018/la-liga/round-34/fc-barcelona-vila-real-cf |title=FC Barcelona 5–1 Villarreal CF: Record breakers |work=FC Barcelona |access-date=21 June 2018}}</ref>
 
==== 2018–19: Captain, 10th La Liga title, and a record sixth Golden Boot ====
With the departure of former captain Andrés Iniesta in May 2018, Messi was named the team's new captain for the following [[2018–19 FC Barcelona season|season]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.sport-english.com/en/news/barca/lionel-messi-will-be-barcelonas-next-captain-6781878 |title=Lionel Messi will be Barcelona's next captain |date=25 April 2018 |access-date=9 August 2018 |publisher=Sport}}</ref> On 12 August, he lifted his first title as Barcelona's captain, the [[2018 Supercopa de España|Supercopa de España]], following a 2–1 victory over Sevilla. On 19 August, Messi scored twice in helping Barcelona defeat Alavés 3–0 in their first [[2018–19 La Liga|La Liga]] match of the season, with his first goal, a free kick that he rolled under the jumping Alavés wall, making history in being Barcelona's 6000th goal in La Liga.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.in/football/barcelona/story/3602570/lionel-messi-scores-barcelonas-6,000th-goal-in-la-liga |title=Lionel Messi scores Barcelona's 6,000th goal in La Liga |date=18 August 2018 |publisher=ESPN FC |access-date=20 August 2018}}</ref> On 18 September, Messi scored a hat-trick in a 4–0 home win over [[PSV Eindhoven]] in Barcelona's opening [[2018–19 UEFA Champions League group stage#Group B|Champions League]] group stage match of the season, setting a new record for most hat-tricks in the competition, with eight.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/club/barcelona/83/blog/post/3638504/lionel-messis-eight-champions-league-hat-tricks-ranked-which-is-the-best |title=Lionel Messi's eight Champions League hat tricks ranked: Which is the best? |publisher=ESPN FC |first=Sam |last=Marsden |date=19 September 2018 |access-date=6 October 2018}}</ref> On 20 October, Messi scored in a 4–2 home win over Sevilla, but was later forced off in the 26th minute after falling awkwardly and injuring his right arm; tests later confirmed that he had fractured his radial bone, ruling him out for approximately three weeks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/news/2018-2019/messi-out-for-three-weeks-with-a-fractured-arm |title=Messi, out for three weeks with a fractured arm |work=FC Barcelona |date=20 October 2018 |access-date=21 October 2018}}</ref> On 8 December, Messi scored two free kicks – his ninth and tenth goals from set pieces during the calendar year – in a 4–0 away win over ''Derbi barceloní'' rivals Espanyol in La Liga; this was the first time ever that he had managed such a feat in the league. His first goal was also his 10th league goal of the season, making him the first player ever to reach double figures in La Liga for 13 consecutive seasons.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2018/dec/10/his-magnum-opus-even-for-lionel-messi-this-was-special |title='His Magnum opus': even for Lionel Messi, this was special |work=The Guardian |last=Lowe |first=Sid |date=10 December 2018 |access-date=14 January 2019}}</ref>
 
[[File:Lionel Messi vs Valladolid 3.jpg|thumb|243x243px|Messi taking a free-kick against [[Real Valladolid]] in August 2018]]
On 13 January 2019, Messi scored his 400th La Liga goal in his 435th league appearance in a 3–0 home win over Eibar, becoming the first player ever to manage this tally in just one of Europe's top five leagues.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/46858269 |title=Barcelona 3–0 Eibar |work=BBC Sport |date=13 January 2019 |access-date=14 January 2019}}</ref> On 2 February, Messi scored twice in a 2–2 draw against Valencia, with his first goal coming from the penalty spot, his 50th La Liga penalty goal; as such, he became only the third player in La Liga history after Cristiano Ronaldo and [[Hugo Sánchez]] to score 50 penalties in the competition.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/messi-matches-ronaldo-penalty-milestone-as-barca-star-sets/1hi6mj9rbf3ar19i8fs1h6nezt |title=Messi matches Ronaldo penalty record with Valencia strike |publisher=Goal |date=2 February 2019 |access-date=21 February 2019}}</ref> Later that month, the club admitted they had begun preparations for Messi's future retirement.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47159671 |title=Lionel Messi: Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu preparing the club for life without Argentine |date=7 February 2019 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=27 August 2019}}</ref> On 23 February, Messi scored the 50th hat-trick of his career and also provided an assist for Suárez, as he helped Barcelona come from behind to achieve a 4–2 away victory over Sevilla in La Liga; the goal was also his 650th career goal for club and country at senior level.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47336146 |title=Sevilla 2–4 Barcelona |work=BBC Sport |date=23 February 2019 |access-date=24 February 2019}}</ref> On 16 April, Messi scored twice in a 3–0 home victory over Manchester United in the second leg of the [[2018–19 UEFA Champions League knockout phase#Quarter-finals|Champions League quarter-finals]] to give Barcelona a 4–0 aggregate win, which saw Barcelona progress to the [[2018–19 UEFA Champions League knockout phase#Semi-finals|semi-finals]] of the competition for the first time since 2015; these were also his first goals in the Champions League quarter-finals since 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47939085 |title=Barcelona 3–0 Manchester United |work=BBC Sport |last=Henry |first=Matthew |date=16 April 2019 |access-date=17 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/apr/17/lionel-messi-manchester-united-barcelona |title=Lionel Messi's one-man show draws curtain on Manchester United dreams |work=The Guardian |last=Lowe |first=Sid |date=17 April 2019 |access-date=17 April 2019}}</ref>
 
On 27 April, Messi came off the bench and scored the only goal in a 1–0 home win over Levante, which allowed Barcelona to clinch the league title;<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/messi-helps-barcelona-clinch-spanish-league-title/2019/04/27/84f90fbe-692d-11e9-a698-2a8f808c9cfb_story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427205444/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/messi-helps-barcelona-clinch-spanish-league-title/2019/04/27/84f90fbe-692d-11e9-a698-2a8f808c9cfb_story.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 April 2019 |title=Messi helps Barcelona clinch Spanish league title |newspaper=The Washington Post |first=Joseph |last=Wilson |date=27 April 2019 |access-date=27 April 2019}}</ref> this was his 450th La Liga appearance, and his first league title as Barcelona's captain.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2019/04/27/5cc42098ca4741e3088b4639.html |title=Messi adds to his numbers |newspaper=Marca |first=M. Carmen |last=Torres |date=27 April 2019 |access-date=27 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2019/04/28/5cc5666be5fdea995f8b461b.html |title=Messi's first league title as captain |newspaper=Marca |date=28 April 2019 |access-date=22 May 2019}}</ref> On 1 May, Messi scored twice in a 3–0 home win over [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals; his second goal of the match, a 35-yard free kick, was the 600th senior club goal of his career, all of which had been scored with Barcelona.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/barcelona/story/3840584/barcelonas-lionel-messi-scores-600th-career-club-goal |title=Barcelona's Lionel Messi scores 600th career club goal |publisher=ESPN FC |date=May 2019 |access-date=2 May 2019}}</ref> In the return leg six days later at [[Anfield]], Barcelona suffered a 4–0 away defeat, which saw Liverpool advance to the [[2019 UEFA Champions League Final|final]] 4–3 on aggregate.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/liverpool-vs-barcelona/406466 |title=Liverpool 4–0 Barcelona (Agg: 4–3): Liverpool complete stunning comeback to reach Champions League final |publisher=Sky Sports |first=Gerard |last=Brand |date=8 May 2019 |access-date=22 May 2019}}</ref> On 19 May, in Barcelona's final La Liga match of the season, Messi scored twice in a 2–2 away draw against Eibar (his 49th and 50th goals of the season in all competitions), which saw him capture his sixth Pichichi Trophy as the league's top scorer, with 36 goals in 34 appearances; with six titles, he equalled Zarra as the player with the most top-scorer awards in La Liga.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/madrid-loses-last-match-of-season-to-forget/2019/05/19/12063c08-7a2f-11e9-b1f3-b233fe5811ef_story.html?noredirect=on |title=Messi hits 50 goals for Barca, Madrid ends season to forget |work=The Washington Post |last=Wilson |first=Joseph |date=19 May 2019 |access-date=22 May 2019}}{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> He also captured his sixth Golden Shoe award, and a record third consecutive award since the 2016–17 season.<ref name="SixthGoldenShoe">{{cite web |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/news/1225730/messi-wins-his-sixth-golden-shoe-award |title=Messi wins his sixth Golden Shoe award |publisher=FC Barcelona |date=24 May 2019 |access-date=25 May 2019}}</ref> On 25 May, Messi scored his final goal of the season in a 2–1 defeat to Valencia in the [[2019 Copa del Rey Final]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48367455 |title=Barcelona 1–2 Valencia |work=BBC Sport |last=Chowdhury |first=Saj |date=25 May 2019 |access-date=26 May 2019}}</ref>
 
==== 2019–20: A record sixth Ballon d'Or ====
On 5 August 2019, it was announced that Messi would miss Barcelona's US tour after sustaining a right [[Calf (leg)|calf]] injury.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/lionel-messi-injury-barcelona-star-to-miss-usa-tour-with-calf-injury-just-ahead-of-la-liga-season/ |title=Lionel Messi injury: Barcelona star to miss USA tour with calf injury just ahead of La Liga season |work=CBS Sports |last=Gonzalez |first=Roger |date=5 August 2019 |access-date=2 September 2019}}</ref> On 19 August, Messi's chipped goal from the edge of the box against Real Betis was nominated for the [[The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019#FIFA Puskás Award|2019 FIFA Puskás Award]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/aug/20/fifa-puskas-award-2019-shortlist-billie-simpson-lionel-messi-andros-townsend |title=Fifa Puskás Award 2019: breakdown of the 10-strong shortlist |work=The Guardian |last=Omoigui |first=Nosa |date=20 August 2019 |access-date=25 August 2019}}</ref> Later that month, he suffered another setback following the return of his calf injury, which ruled him out of the opening game of the season;<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/lionel-messi/story/3927626/messi-ruled-out-vs-betis-after-injury-setback |title=Messi ruled out vs. Betis after injury setback |work=ESPN FC |last1=Llorens |first1=Moises |last2=Marsden |first2=Sam |date=24 August 2019 |access-date=2 September 2019}}</ref> as a result, he was sidelined indefinitely, and was only expected to return to action with Barcelona after the September international break.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2019/08/28/5d664da0ca4741fe4d8b461a.html |title=Messi won't return until after the international break |work=Marca |date=28 August 2019 |access-date=2 September 2019}}</ref> On 2 September, Messi was shortlisted as one of the three finalists for both the 2019 FIFA Puskás Award and the [[The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019#The Best FIFA Men's Player|2019 Best FIFA Men's Player Award]], with Messi winning the latter on 23 September.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/the-best-fifa-football-awards/news/the-best-finalists-unveiled-in-milan |title=The Best finalists unveiled in Milan |publisher=FIFA.com |date=2 September 2019 |access-date=2 September 2019}}</ref><ref name="Messi FIFA2019"/>
 
[[File:Messi's Ballon d'Or.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Messi's six [[Ballon d'Or]] awards on display in the [[FC Barcelona Museum]]. His record sixth from 2019 is at the front.]]
Messi made his first appearance of the [[2019–20 FC Barcelona season|season]] on 17 September, and on 6 October he scored his first goal of the season with a free kick in a 4–0 home win over Sevilla; this was his 420th goal in La Liga, which saw him break Cristiano Ronaldo's record of 419 goals scored in Europe's top five leagues.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/07/football/barcelona-sevilla-inter-juventus-bayern-hoffenheim-spt-intl/index.html |title=Leo Messi breaks another record in Barca win; Juventus ends Inter's unbeaten run |publisher=CNN |last=Grez |first=Matias |date=7 October 2019 |access-date=7 October 2019}}</ref> On 23 October, Messi scored his first [[2019–20 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] goal of the season in a 2–1 away win over [[SK Slavia Prague|Slavia Prague]], becoming the first player to score in 15 consecutive Champions League seasons (excluding qualifying rounds).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49874450 |title=Slavia Prague 1–2 Barcelona |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 October 2019 |access-date=30 October 2019}}</ref> He also equalled Raúl and Cristiano Ronaldo's shared record of the most sides scored against in the competition (33).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.beinsports.com/us/uefa-champions-league/news/messi-sets-record-by-scoring-in-15th-successi/1327346 |title=Messi Sets Record By Scoring In 15th Successive Champions League Season |work=beIN Sports |date=23 October 2019 |access-date=30 October 2019}}</ref> On 29 October, Messi scored in a 5–1 home win over [[Real Valladolid]] in [[2019–20 La Liga|La Liga]]; his first goal – a set piece from 35 yards – was the 50th free-kick of his career.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/lionel-messi-free-kick-goal-barcelona-ernesto-valverde-vs-real-valladolid-a9177116.html |title=Lionel Messi free-kick: Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde 'out of words' after goal |work=The Independent |last=Hamdani |first=Adam |date=30 October 2019 |access-date=30 October 2019}}</ref> His goals (608) also saw him overtake Cristiano Ronaldo's senior goal tally (606) at club level.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/30/football/messi-barcelona-goals-ronaldo-valladolid-spt-intl/index.html |title=Messi eclipses Ronaldo's club goal tally after scoring twice for Barcelona |publisher=CNN |last=Ubha |first=Ravi |date=30 October 2019 |access-date=30 October 2019}}</ref> On 9 November, Messi scored three goals (including two free kicks) in a 4–1 home win against Celta Vigo. This was his 34th hat-trick in La Liga, equalling Cristiano Ronaldo's Spanish top-flight record.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi equals Cristiano Ronaldo LaLiga hat-trick record |url=https://en.as.com/en/2019/11/09/football/1573337486_715454.html |access-date=13 November 2019 |work=As}}</ref> On 27 November, in what was his 700th appearance for Barcelona, Messi scored one goal and assisted two more in a 3–1 home win over [[Borussia Dortmund]] in the UEFA Champions League. Dortmund were the 34th team he had scored against in the competition, breaking the previous record of 33 held by Cristiano Ronaldo and Raúl.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/11/27/football/lionel-messi-barcelona-spt-intl/index.html|title=Lionel Messi steals the show in his 700th Barcelona appearance|work=CNN International|last=Rech|first=Dominic|date=27 November 2019|access-date=28 November 2019}}</ref> On 2 December, Messi was awarded a record-breaking [[2019 Ballon d'Or|sixth Ballon d'Or]].<ref name=":0" /> On 8 December, Messi scored his record-breaking 35th hat-trick in La Liga with three goals in Barcelona's 5–2 home win over [[RCD Mallorca|Mallorca]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Messi's record breaking treble sends Barcelona top |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50692972 |access-date=8 December 2019 |agency=BBC}}</ref>
 
On 22 February 2020, Messi scored four goals in a 5–0 home win over Eibar in La Liga.<ref>{{cite news |title=Barcelona 5–0 Eibar: Lionel Messi scores four in thumping win|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51598759 |access-date=22 February 2020 |agency=BBC}}</ref> On 14 June, he scored in a 4–0 away win against Mallorca, becoming the first player ever in La Liga to score 20 goals or more in 12 consecutive seasons.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://en.as.com/en/2020/06/14/football/1592118117_868100.html |title=Lionel Messi sets another LaLiga goalscoring record for Barcelona |publisher=AS.com |date=14 June 2020 |access-date=29 June 2020}}</ref> On 30 June, he scored a [[Panenka (penalty kick)|panenka]] in a 2–2 home draw against Atlético Madrid in La Liga, to reach his 700th goal in his senior career for Barcelona and Argentina.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/barcelona/story/4113399/lionel-messi-reaches-700-goal-milestone-for-barcelona-and-argentina|title=Lionel Messi reaches 700-goal milestone for Barcelona and Argentina |work=ESPN|date=30 June 2020}}</ref> On 11 July, Messi provided his 20th assist of the league season for [[Arturo Vidal]] in a 1–0 away win over Real Valladolid, equalling Xavi's record of 20 assists in a single La Liga season from 2008 to 2009;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/news/1721440/messi-equals-club-record-for-assists |title=Messi equals club record for assists |work=FC Barcelona |date=11 July 2020 |access-date=12 July 2020}}</ref><ref name="Henry">{{cite web |url=https://www.beinsports.com/au/laliga/video/messi-matches-henrys-mark-to-make-laliga-hist/1501648 |title=Messi matches Henry's mark to make LaLiga history |publisher=beIN SPORTS |date=11 July 2020 |access-date=12 July 2020}}</ref> with 22 goals, he also became only the second player ever, after [[Thierry Henry]] in the [[2002–03 FA Premier League]] [[2002–03 Arsenal F.C. season|season with Arsenal]] (24 goals and 20 assists), to record at least 20 goals and 20 assists in a single league season in one of Europe's top–five leagues.<ref name="Henry"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/blog-espn-fc-united/story/4134777/stats-lionel-messi-second-to-20-+-20-cristiano-ronaldo-second-to-11-11 |title=Stats: Messi second to 20+20, Ronaldo second to 11/11 |work=ESPN.com |date=12 July 2020 |access-date=12 July 2020}}</ref> Following his brace in a 5–0 away win against Alavés in the final match of the season on 20 May, Messi finished the season as both the top–scorer and top assist provider in La Liga, with 25 goals and 21 assists respectively, which saw him win his record seventh Pichichi trophy, overtaking Zarra; however, Barcelona missed out on the league title to Real Madrid.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thescore.com/esp_fed/news/1987681 |title=Messi stands alone after winning Pichichi award for 7th time |publisher=The Score |last=Nesci |first=Gianluca |date=19 July 2020 |access-date=21 July 2020}}</ref> On 9 August, in the [[2019–20 UEFA Champions League#Round of 16|Champions League round of 16]] second leg versus [[S.S.C. Napoli|Napoli]] at the Camp Nou, Messi scored the second goal and earned a penalty which led to a third goal and led his side to a 3–1 home victory and qualified 4–2 on aggregate for the [[2019–20 UEFA Champions League|quarter-finals]] against Bayern Munich.<ref>{{cite web|title=Barcelona vs. Napoli score: Messi dazzles as Barca advance to Champions League quarterfinals|url=https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/barcelona-vs-napoli-score-messi-dazzles-as-barca-advance-to-champions-league-quarterfinals/live/|access-date=26 August 2020|work=CBSSports}}</ref> On 15 August, Messi suffered his worst defeat as a player as [[FC Barcelona 2–8 FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich beat Barcelona 8–2]] in a one-off tie in [[Lisbon]], leading to another disappointing exit from the Champions League.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lionel Messi's heaviest defeats: Barcelona's 8–2 loss to Bayern is star's worst by some way|url=https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/lionel-messi-s-heaviest-defeats-barcelona-s-8-2-loss-to-bayern-is-star-s-worst-by-some-way-1.1063827|access-date=26 August 2020|work=The National|date=15 August 2020}}</ref>
 
==== August 2020: Desire to leave Barcelona ====
{{quote box
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| quote = “I wasn't happy and I wanted to leave. I have not been allowed this in any way and I will stay at the club so as not to get into a legal dispute. The management of the club led by [[Josep Maria Bartomeu|Bartomeu]] is a disaster. My love for Barca will never change."| source = – Messi on reversing his decision to leave Barcelona in an interview with [[Goal (website)|Goal]] on 4 September 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title='My love for Barcelona will never change' – Messi underlines commitment to Catalans after reversing exit desire |url=https://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/my-love-for-barcelona-will-never-change-messi-underlines/mm00n04jmjiw13go3lf1ne1ks|access-date=4 September 2020|work=Goal}}</ref>
}}
 
Following growing dissatisfaction with the direction of Barcelona on and off the field,<ref>{{cite news |title=The reasons why Messi wants to leave Barcelona|url=https://en.as.com/en/2020/08/26/football/1598428836_173128.html |access-date=22 September 2020 |newspaper=As}}</ref> Barcelona announced that Messi sent the club "a document expressing his desire to leave" on 25 August 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|date=25 August 2020|title=Messi tells Barca he wants to leave, signaling end of era|url=https://apnews.com/141fb4432a0421bc942a7f87cfdeba6e|access-date=26 August 2020|work=AP NEWS}}</ref> The announcement garnered a significant media response, including from current and former teammates (who supported Messi's statement) and Catalan president [[Quim Torra]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53913588|title=Lionel Messi: Social media reaction to Barcelona legend's transfer request|work=BBC Sport|access-date=27 August 2020}}</ref> On 26 August, Barcelona's sporting director Ramon Planes iterated the club's desire to "build a team around the most important player in the world"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53918659|title=Lionel Messi: Barcelona want to 'build team around most important player in the world'|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=26 August 2020}}</ref> and affirmed Messi will only be able to leave should a buyer pay his €700 million buyout clause; a reported early termination option available in Messi's contract (which would have allowed him to leave the club for free) could only be exercised if he had communicated his decision to Barcelona by 31 May 2020, although the player's representatives argued the deadline should be set to 31 August, due to the [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on association football|adjourned 2019–20 season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/25/lionel-messi-tells-barcelona-he-wants-to-leave-but-faces-legal-battle-over-clause|first=Sid|last=Lowe|title=Lionel Messi tells Barcelona he wants to leave but faces legal battle over clause|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=25 August 2020|access-date=27 August 2020}}</ref> On 30 August, [[La Liga]] issued a statement stating Messi's contract and buyout clause are still active.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nota informativa|url=https://www.laliga.com/noticias/nota-informativa-contrato-lionel-messi|access-date=30 August 2020|language=es}}</ref>
 
On 4 September, Jorge Messi, Lionel's father and agent, released a statement in response to La Liga claiming the release clause "is not valid when the termination of the contract is by the player's unilateral decision from the end of the 2019–20 season", as stated in Messi's contract with Barcelona;<ref>{{Cite web|date=4 September 2020|title=Messi desmiente a LaLiga y sigue adelante: no hay cláusula de 700 millones|url=https://www.elmundo.es/deportes/futbol/primera-division/2020/09/04/5f5235af21efa0bd098b46d3.html|access-date=4 September 2020|work=El Mundo|language=es}}</ref> moments later, La Liga issued a response reiterating their statement published on 30 August.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nota informativa|url=https://www.laliga.com/noticias/nota-informativa-respuesta-al-entorno-de-leo-messi|date=4 September 2020|access-date=4 September 2020|language=es}}</ref> Later that evening, Messi announced in an interview with [[Goal (website)|Goal]] that he would continue at Barcelona for the final year of his contract. In the interview, Messi claimed to have informed Barcelona of his desire to leave multiple times, and club president [[Josep Maria Bartomeu]] said Messi could decide at the end of every season if he wanted to stay or leave, only for Bartomeu to refer to the release clause.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Messi breaks silence on Barcelona exit saga: 'The president did not keep his word' |url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/messi-breaks-silence-barcelona-exit-saga-president-did-not/12u81b5iumt2d1tkqol18wpcxg|access-date=4 September 2020 |work=Goal}}</ref> This left Messi with two options: to stay or go to court against the club, with the player saying "I would never go to court against the club of my life".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Messi's Barcelona heartbreak revealed: From his son's tears, to refusing to go to trial – full truth behind 'brutal' transfer saga |url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/messis-barcelona-heartbreak-revealed-from-his-sons-tears-to/1mpozogbymuza1fep1f6vv3oz2|access-date=4 September 2020 |work=Goal}}</ref>
 
==== 2020–21: Final season at Barcelona ====
On 27 September, Messi began the [[2020–21 FC Barcelona season|2020–21 season]] by scoring a penalty in a 4–0 home win against Villarreal in La Liga.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nemer|first=Roy|title=Lionel Messi scores for FC Barcelona in 4–0 win vs. Villarreal|url=https://mundoalbiceleste.com/2020/09/27/lionel-messi-scores-for-fc-barcelona-in-4-0-win-vs-villarreal/|work=Mundo Albiceleste|date=27 September 2020|access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> Two days prior to the opening game, he again criticised the club, this time for the manner of [[Luis Suárez]]'s departure, stating, "at this stage nothing surprises me any more".<ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi takes fresh aim at Barcelona for 'throwing out' Luis Suárez |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/sep/25/lionel-messi-takes-fresh-aim-at-barcelona-for-throwing-out-luis-suarez |date=25 September 2020 |access-date=5 October 2020 |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> On 20 October, Messi scored a penalty in a 5–1 home victory against [[Ferencvárosi TC|Ferencváros]] in the Champions League, becoming the first player in history to score in sixteen consecutive Champions League seasons.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nemer|first=Roy|title=Lionel Messi scores, breaks three Champions League records in Barcelona win |url=https://mundoalbiceleste.com/2020/10/20/lionel-messi-scores-breaks-three-champions-league-records-in-barcelona-win/|date=20 October 2020|access-date=21 October 2020|work=Mundo Albiceleste}}</ref> On 25 November, Messi was nominated for the [[The Best FIFA Football Awards 2020|2020 Best FIFA Men's Player award]], and was later shortlisted as one of the final three candidates.<ref>{{Cite web|date=25 November 2020|title=FIFA Best: Messi vs. Ronaldo rivalry resumes |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/barcelona/story/4244512/fifa-best-messi-vs-ronaldo-rivalry-resumes-as-mbappesalahneymarmane-join-stars-in-line-for-top-award|access-date=25 November 2020|publisher=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=11 December 2020|title=FIFA The Best: Messi, Ronaldo, Lewy nominated |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/uefa-champions-league/story/4260232/fifa-the-best-messironaldolewandowski-nominated-for-best-mens-player|access-date=12 December 2020 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> On 29 November, Messi scored his side's fourth goal in their 4–0 victory over Osasuna. After scoring, he unveiled a shirt of his former side [[Newell's Old Boys]], in tribute to Argentine compatriot [[Diego Maradona]], who had died four days earlier, and raised both hands to the screen showing Maradona's face in the stadium. The shirt was a number 10 replica of the same one Maradona had worn during his stint with the club in 1993.<ref>{{cite web |title=Barcelona 4–0 Osasuna: Lionel Messi pays tribute to Diego Maradona |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55123003 |date=29 November 2020 |access-date=9 December 2020 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> On 17 December, Messi finished third in The Best FIFA Men's Player award behind [[Robert Lewandowski]] and Cristiano Ronaldo, and was included in the [[FIFPro#FIFA FIFPro Men's World11|FIFA FIFPro World XI]] for the fourteenth consecutive year.<ref>{{cite news|title=Leo Messi third in FIFA The Best award|url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/news/1944711/leo-messi-third-in-fifa-the-best-award|date=17 December 2020|access-date=18 December 2020|publisher=FC Barcelona}}</ref>
 
On 23 December, Messi scored his 644th goal for Barcelona against Real Valladolid in La Liga, surpassing [[Pelé]] with [[Santos FC|Santos]] as the player with the most goals scored for a single club.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi passes Pele for most goals with one club (VIDEO)|url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2020/12/22/lionel-messi-most-goals-one-club-barcelona-pele-video|date=22 December 2020|access-date=23 December 2020 |work=Sports Illustrated}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/22/european-roundup-lionel-messi-pele-record-barcelona-juventus-fiorentina-atletico-madrid |title=Lionel Messi breaks Pelé's record for goals at a single club |newspaper=The Guardian |date=23 December 2020 |access-date=23 December 2020}}</ref> In order to celebrate his achievement, [[Budweiser]] sent personalised bottles of beer to every goalkeeper whom Messi has scored against.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.givemesport.com/1631804-lionel-messi-which-goalkeepers-got-the-644-bottles-of-budweiser-beer |title=Lionel Messi: Which goalkeepers got the 644 bottles of Budweiser beer? |work=GiveMeSport |date=27 December 2020 |access-date=28 December 2020}}</ref> On 17 January 2021, Messi was [[Fouls and misconduct (association football)#Red card (dismissal)|sent off]] for the first time in his club career for violent conduct (swinging an arm at the head of [[Asier Villalibre]], missed initially by the referee but reviewed via [[Video assistant referee|VAR]]) in the final minutes of Barcelona's 2–3 extra time defeat to Athletic Bilbao in the [[2020–21 Supercopa de España Final]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55699322 |title=Lionel Messi sent off as Barcelona lose Spanish Super Cup to Athletic Bilbao|work=BBC Sport|date=17 January 2021|access-date=18 January 2021}}</ref> On 10 March, Messi scored from 35 yards out and later had a penalty saved in a 1–1 draw against [[Paris Saint-Germain]] at the [[Parc des Princes]] in the second leg of the [[2020–21 UEFA Champions League knockout phase#Round of 16|Champions League round of 16]] as Barcelona were eliminated at this stage for the first time in 14 years by an aggregate score of 2–5 after having lost 1–4 at home on 16 February, with Messi scoring Barcelona's only goal in that game.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2021/03/10/psg-vs-barcelona-champions-league-round-16-live-score-latest/ |title=PSG survive Lionel Messi-inspired first-half fightback to knock Barcelona out of Champions League |work=The Telegraph |last=Dean |first=Sam |date=10 March 2021 |accessdate=11 March 2021}}</ref> On 15 March, Messi scored two goals in a 4–1 win against [[SD Huesca|Huesca]]. With the first goal, he became the first player in football history to score at least 20 goals in 13 consecutive seasons in the top 5 European leagues.<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi reaches 20 league goals for the 13th season in a row |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/news/2069411/messi-reaches-20-league-goals-for-the-13th-season-in-a-row |date=16 March 2021 |publisher=FC Barcelona}}</ref> On 21 March, he surpassed [[Xavi]]'s record to reach a club record of 768 appearances, in which he also scored a brace in a 6–1 away win against Real Sociedad.<ref>{{cite web |title=Leo Messi surpasses Xavi Hernández record |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/news/2069179/leo-messi-equals-xavi-hernandez-record |date=21 March 2021 |publisher=FC Barcelona}}</ref> On 17 April, Messi scored twice as Barcelona defeated Athletic Bilbao 4–0 in the [[2021 Copa del Rey Final]]. With his second goal, he broke [[Gerd Müller]]'s record of 30 plus goals in 12 consecutive club seasons, setting a new record of 13. With his 35th trophy with Barcelona, Messi also overtook former Manchester United winger [[Ryan Giggs]] as the most decorated footballer for a single club.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lionel Messi sets an utterly ridiculous record as he leads Barcelona to Copa Del Rey glory|url=https://www.caughtoffside.com/2021/04/17/lionel-messi-sets-an-utterly-ridiculous-record-as-he-leads-barcelona-to-copa-del-rey-glory/amp/|work=Caught Offside|accessdate=18 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tsn.ca/messi-nets-2-barcelona-beats-bilbao-4-0-to-win-copa-del-rey-1.1625290 |title=Lionel Messi nets two, Barcelona beats Athletic Bilbao to win Copa del Rey |publisher=TSN |date=17 April 2021 |access-date=17 April 2021}}</ref> On 16 May, Messi scored his 30th league goal of the campaign in a 1–2 home defeat against Celta Vigo, which later turned out to be his final goal and match in a Barcelona shirt.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Clark|first=Gill|date=2021-05-17|title=Koeman talks Lionel Messi's future after Barcelona lose to Celta Vigo|url=https://www.barcablaugranes.com/barcelona-la-liga/2021/5/17/22439288/koeman-talks-lionel-messis-future-after-barcelona-lose-to-celta-vigo|access-date=2021-08-07|work=Barca Blaugranes}}</ref>
 
The top goalscorer in La Liga, Messi was announced as the winner of the Pichichi trophy for a record eighth time in his career.<ref name="eighth" /> It was also his record fifth consecutive win in La Liga, surpassing [[Alfredo Di Stéfano]] and [[Hugo Sánchez]] who both had four for Real Madrid,<ref name="eighth">{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi wins record eighth Pichichi|url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/lionel-messi-wins-record-eighth-085038035.html |access-date=27 May 2021 |agency=Yahoo}}</ref> and equalled former [[Olympique de Marseille|Marseille]] striker [[Jean-Pierre Papin]]'s record of five consecutive league top scorer awards in the top five leagues of Europe.
 
{{quote box
| width = 33%
| align = right
| quote = "Leo wanted to stay and the Club wanted him to stay but with the La Liga rules it has not been possible. To comply with the league's fair play regulations we had to accept an agreement that mortgaged the Club's TV right for half a century and FC Barcelona is above everything else."
| source = – Barcelona president [[Joan Laporta]] explains the reason behind Messi's departure.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Joan Laporta explains the reasons for Leo Messi's departure|url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/club/news/2208073/joan-laporta-explains-the-reasons-for-leo-messis-departure|access-date=2021-08-07|work=FC Barcelona}}</ref>
}}
 
On 1 July, Messi became a free agent after his contract expired,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Messi officially becomes a free agent as superstar's Barcelona contract expires |url=https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/messi-free-agent-barcelona-contract-expires/6oic4yrrw62d1mcffybvao1qi|work=Goal|first=Rubén|last=Uría|date=1 July 2021 |accessdate=1 July 2021}}</ref> with negotiations on a new deal complicated due to financial issues at Barcelona.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lionel Messi: Barcelona forward agrees contract extension with 50 per cent pay cut |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11833/12355747/lionel-messi-barcelona-forward-agrees-contract-extension-with-50-per-cent-pay-cut |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210714191249/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11833/12355747/lionel-messi-barcelona-forward-agrees-contract-extension-with-50-per-cent-pay-cut |date=14 July 2021 |location=United Kingdom |archive-date=14 July 2021 |work=Sky Sports |access-date=14 July 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> On 5 August, Barcelona announced that Messi would not be staying at the club, even though both parties reached an agreement and were due to sign a contract that day. The club cited financial and structural obstacles posed by La Liga regulations as a reason for Messi's departure.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Lionel Messi 'shocked' and 'surprised' at Barcelona contract collapse  |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11833/12374082/lionel-messi-shocked-and-surprised-at-barcelona-contract-collapse |archive-url=https://archive.is/Wph9D |date= |archive-date=6 Aug 2021 |work=Sky Sports|last1=Thomas |first1=Lyall |first2=Kaveh |last2=Solhekol}}</ref> Club president [[Joan Laporta]] also blamed the previous board for Messi's exit by saying "the basis of everything is the calamitous and disastrous situation left by the previous board", he added by saying "the expected debt is much higher and we had some sports contracts in place that meant we had no margin on salary".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Saddened Barça president blames previous board and 'La Liga' for Messi's departure |url=https://www.elnacional.cat/en/sports/messi-departure-laporta-previous-barca-president-spanish-league_635267_102.html|access-date=2021-08-11|website=In English}}</ref> Three days later, in a tearful press conference held at the Camp Nou, Messi confirmed that he would be leaving Barcelona.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Barca fans 'devastated' at Messi exit, PSG fans 'waiting for a legend'|url=https://www.msn.com/en-xl/sport/american-football/barca-fans-devastated-at-messi-exit-psg-fans-waiting-for-a-legend/ar-AAN6ELW|access-date=2021-08-09|website=www.msn.com}}</ref>


=== Paris Saint-Germain ===
=== Paris Saint-Germain ===
 
After a situation involving [[F.C. Barcelona|FC Barcelona]] and their overwhelming wage bill, Messi made the most shocking transfer to the French football club [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris-Saint Germain]].
==== 2021–22 ====
On 10 August, Messi joined French club [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi signs two-year Paris St-Germain deal after leaving Barcelona |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58163106 |access-date=10 August 2021 |work=BBC}}</ref> He signed a two-year deal until June 2023 with an option for an extra year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.psg.fr/teams/first-team/content/cp-lionel-messi-psg-paris-saint-germain-mercato|title=Leo Messi signs for Paris Saint-Germain|website=PSG|date=10 August 2021}}</ref> Messi chose the number 30 jersey, the same number he wore as a teenager when he made his senior debut for Barcelona.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi shirt number revealed by PSG|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/lionel-messi-psg-shirt-number-transfer-b1900397.html |access-date=11 August 2021 |work=The Independent}}</ref>


== International career ==
== International career ==
=== 2004–05: Success at youth level ===
As a dual Argentine-Spanish national, Messi was eligible to play for the national team of both countries.<ref name="Burden">{{cite news |first=Jeff |last=Himmelman |title=The Burden of Being Messi |newspaper=The New York Times |date=5 June 2014 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/08/magazine/the-burden-of-being-messi.html |access-date=11 August 2015}}</ref> Selectors for Spain's Under-17 squad began pursuing him in 2003 after Barcelona's director of football, [[Carles Rexach]], alerted the Royal Spanish Football Federation to their young player. Messi declined the offer, having aspired to represent ''La Albiceleste'' since childhood. To further prevent Spain from taking him, the [[Argentine Football Association]] organised two under-20 friendlies in June 2004, against Paraguay and Uruguay, with the purpose of finalising his status as an Argentina player in [[FIFA]]. Five days after his 17th birthday, on 29 June, he made his debut for his country against Paraguay, scoring once and providing two assists in their 8–0 victory. He was subsequently included in the squad for the [[2005 South American U-20 Championship|South American Youth Championship]], held in Colombia in February 2005. As he lacked the stamina of his teammates, the result of his former growth hormone deficiency, he was used as a substitute in six of the nine games. After being named man of the match against Venezuela, he scored the winning 2–1 goal in the crucial last match against Brazil, thereby securing their third-place qualification for the [[2005 FIFA World Youth Championship|FIFA World Youth Championship]].{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=209–219}}


Aware of his physical limitations, Messi employed a personal trainer to increase his muscle mass, returning to the squad in an improved condition in time for the World Youth Championship, hosted by the Netherlands in June. After he was left out of the starting line-up in their first match against the United States, a 1–0 defeat, the squad's senior players asked manager Francisco Ferraro to let Messi start, as they considered him their best player. After helping the team defeat Egypt and Germany to progress past the group stage, Messi proved decisive in the knockout phase as he scored their equaliser against Colombia, provided a goal and an assist against title favourites Spain, and scored their opening goal against reigning champions Brazil. Ahead of the final, he was awarded the [[FIFA U-20 World Cup#Awards|Golden Ball]] as the best player of the tournament. He scored two penalties in their 2–1 victory over Nigeria, clinching Argentina's fifth championship and finishing the tournament as top scorer with 6 goals.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=220–240}}<ref name="MagicMessi">{{cite web |title=Magic Messi Sparks High Drama in the Lowlands |publisher=FIFA |date=July 2005 |url=https://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/news/y=2007/m=3/news=magic-messi-sparks-high-drama-the-lowlands-501784.html |access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref> His performances drew comparisons with compatriot [[Diego Maradona]], who had led Argentina to the [[1979 FIFA World Youth Championship|title in 1979]].<ref name="MagicMessi"/>
=== Argentina ===
Messi was allowed to play for both [[Spain]] and [[Argentina]] since he had dual-nationality, but he decided to play for his home country, Argentina. He led the team to the final game of the 2005 [[U-20 FIFA World Cup|U-20 World Cup]] by scoring important goals in the knockout stages. Messi scored two goals in the final against Nigeria, and Argentina won 2–1. In addition to receiving a winner's medal, Messi was also awarded the Golden Shoe for most goals scored (6), and Golden Ball for best player.


=== 2005–06: Senior and World Cup debuts ===
Messi played his first game with the senior team on 17 August 2005 against [[Hungary national football team|Hungary]]. He came on as a substitute. However, he was shown a red card 45 seconds into the game for hitting an opponent in the face on accident while Messi was trying to pull the opponent off from his shirt. Messi scored his first goal for Argentina in a friendly match against [[Croatia national football team|Croatia]] on 1 March 2006. Argentina lost the game 3-2.<ref>{{cite web|date=1 March 2006|title=Croatia vs. Argentina 3-2 - Match Summary|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/match?gameId=195332|url-status=live|access-date=2020-06-26|website=ESPN|language=en}}</ref> He was selected for the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]] by coach [[José Pekerman]]. In Argentina's second game against [[Serbia national football team|Serbia]], he became their youngest player to play at a World Cup. He also assisted a goal scored the last one in the 6–0 victory. That goal made him the youngest goalscorer in the 2006 World Cup.
In recognition of his achievements with the under-20 side, senior manager [[José Pékerman]] gave Messi his first call-up for a friendly against [[Hungary national football team|Hungary]] on 17 August. Aged 18, Messi made his senior debut for Argentina in the [[Ferenc Puskás Stadium (1953)|Ferenc Puskás Stadium]] when he came on in the 63rd minute, only to be sent off after two minutes for a perceived foul against [[Vilmos Vanczák]], who had grabbed his shirt; Messi had struck the defender with his arm while trying to shake him off, which the referee interpreted as an intentional elbowing, a contentious decision.<ref>{{cite news |first=Tim |last=Vickery |title=Messi Handles 'New Maradona' Tag |work=BBC Sport |date=22 August 2005 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_football/4172400.stm |access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref> Messi was reportedly found weeping in the dressing room after his sending-off.<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi's Debut Dream Turns Sour |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/339694/messis-debut-dream-turns-sour |access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref> He returned to the team on 3 September in their World Cup qualifier defeat to [[Paraguay national football team|Paraguay]], which he had declared his "re-debut" ahead of the match.<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Tries Again as Argentina Face Paraguay |publisher=ESPN FC |date=2 September 2005 |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=178848&cc=5739 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628224026/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=178848&cc=5739 |archive-date=28 June 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Messi started his first game in the next qualifying match against [[Peru national football team|Peru]], in which he was able to win a crucial penalty that secured their victory. After the match, Pékerman described him as "a jewel".<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Is a Jewel Says Argentina Coach |publisher=ESPN FC |date=10 October 2005 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/345383/messi-is-a-jewel-says-argentina-coach |access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref> He subsequently made regular appearances for the team ahead of Argentina's participation in the [[2006 FIFA World Cup]], scoring his first goal in a friendly against [[Croatia national football team|Croatia]] on 1 March 2006.<ref name="Century">{{cite web |first=Roberto |last=Mamrud |title=Lionel Andrés Messi – Century of International Appearances |publisher=RSSSF |url=http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/messi-intlg.html |access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref> A hamstring injury sustained a week later jeopardised his presence in the World Cup, but he was nevertheless selected for Pékerman's squad and regained fitness in time for the start of the tournament.<ref>{{cite news |first=Tim |last=Vickery |title=Messi Comes of Age |work=BBC Sport |date=5 June 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/argentina/5047440.stm |access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref>


During the World Cup in Germany, Messi witnessed their opening match victory against the [[Ivory Coast national football team|Ivory Coast]] from the substitutes' bench. In the next match, against [[Serbia and Montenegro national football team|Serbia and Montenegro]], he became the youngest player to represent Argentina at a [[FIFA World Cup]] when he came on as a substitute in the 74th minute. He assisted their fourth strike within minutes and scored the final goal in their 6–0 victory, making him the youngest scorer in the tournament and the sixth-youngest goalscorer in the history of the World Cup.<ref name="Argentina 6–0 Serbia & Montenegro">{{cite news |title=Argentina 6–0 Serbia & Montenegro |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 June 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4853028.stm |access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref> As their progression to the knockout phase was secured, several starters were rested during the last group match. Messi consequently started the game against the [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]], a 0–0 draw, as they won their group on goal differential.<ref>{{cite news |title=Holland 0–0 Argentina |work=BBC Sport |date=21 June 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4853328.stm |access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref>{{sfn|Lisi|2011|pp=470–471}} In the round of 16 match against [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]], played on his 19th birthday, Messi came on in the 84th minute, with the score tied at 1–1. He appeared to score a goal, but it was contentiously ruled [[Offside (association football)|offside]], with the team needing a late goal in extra time to proceed.<ref>{{cite news |title=Argentina 2–1 Mexico (aet) |work=BBC Sport |date=24 June 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4991492.stm |access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref>{{sfn|Lisi|2011|pp=485–486}} He did not play in the quarter-final against Germany, during which Argentina were eliminated 4–2 in a penalty shootout.{{sfn|Lisi|2011|pp=492–493}} Back home, Pékerman's decision to leave him on the bench against Germany led to widespread criticism from those who believed Messi could have changed the outcome of the match in Argentina's favour.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=382–383}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Argentines Wonder Why Messi Sat Out |newspaper=The New York Times |date=2 July 2006 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/02/sports/02iht-wcargentina.2100484.html |access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref>
Messi won the [[Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2008 Olympics]] with Argentina as well, as he assisted [[Ángel Di Maria|Ángel Di Maria's]] goal in the final against Nigeria in [[Beijing]]. Messi was made captain of the national team in 2011. He scored his first hat-trick with the country in his 68th appearance during a 3-1 victory against [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]] in February 2012.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=2016-06-22|title=Messi breaks Argentina scoring record|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/lionel-messi/story/2891319/lionel-messi-breaks-argentinas-all-time-goal-scoring-record|access-date=2021-03-09|website=ESPN.com|language=en}}</ref>


=== 2007–08: Copa América final and Olympic gold ===
On 21 June 2016, he broke the top scoring record for Argentina by scoring his 55th goal with a gem of a free-kick against the [[United States men's national soccer team|United States]] in the Copa América Centenario. It was regarded as the best free-kick scored by Messi during his career. The record was previously held by [[Gabriel Batistuta]] with 54 goals.<ref name=":2" />
[[File:Olymics final 2008.jpg|thumb|Messi evades Brazil's [[Marcelo (footballer, born 1988)|Marcelo]] in the semi-final of the [[Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Summer Olympics]] in Beijing, China]]


As Messi evolved into one of the best players in the world, he secured a place in [[Alfio Basile]]'s starting line-up, as part of a team considered favourites to win the [[2007 Copa América]], held in Venezuela.<ref name="NotBest"/>{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=384–387}} He set up the game-winning goal of their 4–1 victory over the [[United States national men's soccer team|United States]] in the opening match, before winning a penalty that led to the game-tying first strike of their 4–2 win in the next match against [[Colombia national football team|Colombia]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Argentina into Last Eight of Copa |work=BBC Sport |date=3 July 2007 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/6263888.stm |access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Tevez Nets in Argentina Victory |work=BBC Sport |date=29 June 2007 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/6252156.stm |access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref> At the quarter-final stage, where the group winners faced Peru, he scored the second goal of a 4–0 victory that saw them through to the semi-final, during which he chipped the ball over Mexico's goalkeeper to ensure another 3–0 win.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=384–387}} In a surprise defeat, Argentina lost the final 3–0 to a [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] squad that lacked several of the nation's best players.<ref>{{cite news |title=Missing Some Stars, Brazil Wins Copa América |newspaper=The New York Times |date=16 July 2007 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/16/sports/soccer/16soccer.html |access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref> Their unexpected loss was followed by much criticism in Argentina, though Messi was mostly exempt due to his young age and secondary status to star player [[Juan Román Riquelme]].{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=384–387}} He was named the best young player of the tournament by [[CONMEBOL]].{{sfn|Caioli|2012|p=156}}
==== Retirement ====
On 26 June, Argentina once again lost to Chile on penalties 4-2 in the [[Copa América Centenario]] final after a 0–0 tie. Messi missed his penalty in the [[penalty shootout]]. This was Messi's third consecutive defeat in a major tournament final with Argentina, and his fourth overall. A day after the match, Messi announced his retirement from international football. In an emotional interview after the game, he said he was very sad that he missed the penalty and also sad that he wasn't able to win any trophies in four finals.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McKirdy|first=Euan|date=27 June 2016|title='I think this is best for everyone,' Has Lionel Messi retired from Argentina duty?|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/06/27/football/copa-america-lionel-messi/index.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-09|website=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-06-27|title=Lionel Messi retires from Argentina after Copa America final loss to Chile|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/copa-america-tournament/story/2902891/lionel-messi-retires-from-argentina-after-copa-america-final-loss-to-chile|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-09|website=ESPN.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will be last says Lionel Messi|url=https://footballcoal.com/fifa-world-cup-qatar-2022-will-be-last-says-lionel-messi/|access-date=2022-05-21|website= footballcoal.com|language=en-US}}</ref>


Ahead of the [[Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Summer Olympics]], Barcelona legally barred Messi from representing Argentina at the tournament as it coincided with their Champions League qualifying matches.<ref>{{cite web |first=Brian |last=Homewood |title=Court Blocks Messi from Olympics Soccer |work=Reuters |date=6 August 2008 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-soccer-messi-idUSB29154520080806 |access-date=12 August 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924134300/http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/08/06/us-olympics-soccer-messi-idUSB29154520080806 |url-status=live}}</ref> After interference from newly appointed Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola, who had [[Football at the 1992 Summer Olympics|won the tournament in 1992]], Messi was permitted to join [[Sergio Batista]]'s under-23 squad in Beijing.{{sfn|Hunter|2012|pp=63–64}} During the first match, he scored the opening goal in their 2–1 victory over the [[Ivory Coast national under-23 football team|Ivory Coast]]. Following a 1–0 win in the next group match against [[Australia national under-23 soccer team|Australia]], ensuring their quarter-final qualification, Messi was rested during the game against Serbia, while his side won the match to finish first in their group. Against the Netherlands, he again scored the first goal and assisted a second strike to help his team to a 2–1 win in extra time. After a 3–0 semi-final victory over [[Brazil national under-23 football team|Brazil]], Messi assisted the only goal in the final as Argentina defeated [[Nigeria national under-23 football team|Nigeria]] to claim [[Olympic medal|Olympic gold medals]].{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=436–437}} Along with Riquelme, Messi was singled out by FIFA as the stand-out player from the tournament's best team.<ref>{{cite web |title=Report and Statistics: Men's and Women's Olympic Football Tournaments Beijing 2008 |publisher=FIFA |page=21 |url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/afdeveloping/technicaldevp/94/37/67/internetreportoly08v2.pdf |access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref>
==== Return from Retirement ====
He came out of retirement in October 2016 for the [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|2018 World Cup qualifiers]].


=== 2008–2011: Collective decline ===
After a slow start to the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]], he helped Argentina qualify to the next round of the competition by scoring the first goal in the 2-1 win over [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]].
From late 2008, the national team experienced a three-year period marked by poor performances.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=384–387}} Under manager Diego Maradona, who had led Argentina to World Cup victory as a player, the team struggled to qualify for the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 World Cup]], securing their place in the tournament only after defeating [[Uruguay national football team|Uruguay]] 1–0 in their last qualifying match. Maradona was criticised for his strategic decisions, which included playing Messi out of his usual position. In eight qualifying matches under Maradona's stewardship, Messi scored only one goal, netting the opening goal in the first such match, a 4–0 victory over [[Venezuela national football team|Venezuela]].<ref name="Century"/>{{sfn|Lisi|2011|pp=533–539}} During that game, played on 28 March 2009, he wore Argentina's number 10 shirt for the first time, following the international retirement of Riquelme.<ref>{{cite news |first=Ian |last=Chadband |title=Lionel Messi Can Achieve More at Barcelona than Diego Maradona |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=28 April 2009 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/5231676/Lionel-Messi-can-achieve-more-at-Barcelona-than-Diego-Maradona.html |access-date=13 August 2015}}</ref> Overall, Messi scored four goals in 18 appearances during the qualifying process.<ref name="Century"/> Ahead of the tournament, Maradona visited Messi in Barcelona to request his tactical input; Messi then outlined a 4–3–1–2 formation with himself playing behind the two strikers, a playmaking position known as the ''enganche'' in Argentine football, which had been his preferred position since childhood.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=155–156, 405–406}}


[[File:Messi Copa America 2011.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Messi in action during the opening match against Bolivia in the [[2011 Copa América]]]]
Jumping to 2021 with the new coach, Lionel Scaloni, Argentina won the Copa America in June. With Dimaria's goal in the 11th minute, they beat Brazil 1-0 in their home ground. Which was one of the main reasons for Messi winning the Ballon do'r for the record 7th time and counting.
 
Despite their poor qualifying campaign, Argentina were considered title contenders at the World Cup in South Africa. At the start of the tournament, the new formation proved effective; Messi managed at least four attempts on goal during their opening match but was repeatedly denied by [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]]'s goalkeeper, resulting in a 1–0 win. During the next match, against [[South Korea national football team|South Korea]], he excelled in his playmaking role, participating in all four goals of his side's 4–1 victory. As their place in the knockout phase was guaranteed, most of the starters were rested during the last group match, but Messi reportedly refused to be benched.{{sfn|Lisi|2011|pp=533–539}} He wore the captain's armband for the first time in their 2–0 win against [[Greece national football team|Greece]]; as the focal point of their play, he helped create their second goal to see Argentina finish as group winners.<ref>{{cite news |first=Rory |last=Smith |title=Greece 0 Argentina 2: Match Report |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=22 June 2010 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/news/7842201/Greece-0-Argentina-2-match-report.html |access-date=13 August 2015}}</ref>
 
Argentina were eliminated in the quarter-final against Germany, at the same stage of the tournament and by the same opponent as four years earlier. Their 4–0 loss was their worst margin of defeat at a World Cup since 1974.{{sfn|Lisi|2011|pp=564–567}} FIFA subsequently identified Messi as one of the tournament's 10 best players, citing his "outstanding" pace and creativity and "spectacular and efficient" dribbling, shooting and passing.<ref>{{cite web |title=Adidas Golden Ball Nominees Announced |publisher=FIFA |date=9 July 2010 |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2010/m=7/news=adidas-golden-ball-nominees-announced-1270753.html |access-date=13 August 2015}}</ref> Back home, however, Messi was the subject of harsher judgement. As the perceived best player in the world, he had been expected to lead an average team to the title, as Maradona arguably [[1986 FIFA World Cup|did in 1986]], but he had failed to replicate his performances at Barcelona with the national team, leading to the accusation that he cared less about his country than his club.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=414–420}}
 
Maradona was replaced by Sergio Batista, who had orchestrated Argentina's Olympic victory. Batista publicly stated that he intended to build the team around Messi, employing him as a [[Forward (association football)#False 9|false nine]] within a 4–3–3 system, as used to much success by Barcelona.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=414–420}}<ref name="NewRole">{{cite web |first=Michael |last=Cox |title=Lionel Messi Showing Some Promising Signs in a New Argentina Role |publisher=ESPN FC |date=13 November 2014 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/blog/tactics-and-analysis/67/post/2144957/argentina-national-team-lionel-messi-showing-some-promising-signs-in-a-new-argentina-role |access-date=13 August 2015}}</ref> Although Messi scored a record 53 goals during the 2010–11 club season, he had not scored for Argentina in an official match since March 2009.<ref name="Matches 2010–11"/><ref name="Century"/> Despite the tactical change, his goal drought continued during the [[2011 Copa América]], hosted by Argentina. Their first two matches, against Bolivia and Colombia, ended in draws. Media and fans noted that he did not combine well with striker [[Carlos Tevez]], who enjoyed greater popularity among the Argentine public; Messi was consequently booed by his own team's supporters for the first time in his career. During the crucial next match, with Tevez on the bench, he gave a well-received performance, assisting two goals in their 3–0 victory over [[Costa Rica national football team|Costa Rica]]. After the quarter-final against Uruguay ended in a 1–1 draw following extra time, with Messi having assisted their equaliser, Argentina were eliminated 4–5 in the penalty shootout by the eventual champions.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=414–420}}
 
=== 2011–2013: Assuming the captaincy ===
[[File:Suisse vs Argentine - Granit Xhaka & Lionel Messi crop.jpg|thumb|upright|Messi scored his first international [[hat-trick]] against [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]] in February 2012.]]
 
After Argentina's unsuccessful performance in the Copa América, Batista was replaced by [[Alejandro Sabella]]. Upon his appointment in August 2011, Sabella awarded the 24-year-old Messi the captaincy of the squad, in accord with then-captain [[Javier Mascherano]]. Reserved by nature, Messi went on to lead his squad by example as their best player, while Mascherano continued to fulfil the role of the team's on-field leader and motivator.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=595–602}}<ref>{{cite news |first=Rob |last=Hughes |title=If Messi Is Argentina's Star, Then Mascherano Is the Glue |newspaper=The New York Times |date=10 July 2014 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/11/sports/soccer/if-messi-is-argentinas-star-then-mascherano-is-the-glue.html |access-date=13 August 2015}}</ref> In a further redesign of the team, Sabella dismissed Tevez and brought in players with whom Messi had won the World Youth Championship and Olympic Games. Now playing in a free role in an improving team, Messi ended his goal drought by scoring during their first World Cup qualifying match against [[Chile national football team|Chile]] on 7 October, his first official goal for Argentina in two-and-a-half years.<ref name="Century"/>{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=595–602}}
 
Under Sabella, Messi's goalscoring rate drastically increased; where he had scored only 17 goals in 61 matches under his previous managers, he scored 25 times in 32 appearances during the following three years.<ref name="Century"/>{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=595–602}} He netted a total of 12 goals in 9 games for Argentina in 2012, equalling the record held by [[Gabriel Batistuta]] for the most goals scored in a calendar year for their country.<ref>{{cite news |first=Mike |last=Adamson |title=Lionel Messi's Incredible Record-Breaking Year in Numbers |newspaper=The Guardian |date=10 December 2012 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2012/dec/10/lionel-messi-record-year-numbers |access-date=13 August 2015}}</ref> His first international hat-trick came in a friendly against [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]] on 29 February 2012, followed by two more hat-tricks over the next year-and-a-half in friendlies against Brazil and [[Guatemala national football team|Guatemala]]. Messi then helped the team secure their place in the [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014 World Cup]] with a 5–2 victory over Paraguay on 10 September 2013 when he scored twice from penalty kicks, taking his international tally to 37 goals to become Argentina's second-highest goalscorer behind Batistuta. Overall, he had scored a total of 10 goals in 14 matches during the qualifying campaign.<ref name="Century"/><ref>{{cite web |title=FIFA World Cup Qualifying: Paraguay 2 Argentina 5 |work=FourFourTwo |date=11 September 2013 |url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/fifa-world-cup-qualifying-paraguay-2-argentina-5 |access-date=13 August 2015}}</ref> Concurrently with his bettered performances, his relationship with his compatriots improved, as he gradually began to be perceived more favourably in Argentina.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=595–602}}
 
=== 2014–15: World Cup and Copa América finals ===
[[File:Iran vs. Argentina match, 2014 FIFA World Cup 37.jpg|thumb|left|Messi watches his 25-yard curling strike hit the net against [[Iran national football team|Iran]] to win the game for Argentina in their second group game at the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]]]]
Ahead of the World Cup in Brazil, doubts persisted over Messi's form, as he finished an unsuccessful and injury-plagued season with Barcelona. At the start of the tournament, however, he gave strong performances, being elected man of the match in their first four matches.<ref name="TechnicalReport">{{cite web |title=2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Technical Report and Statistics |publisher=FIFA |pages=170–171 |url=http://resources.fifa.com/mm/document/footballdevelopment/technicalsupport/02/42/15/40/2014fwc_tsg_report_15082014web_neutral.pdf |access-date=14 August 2015 |archive-date=7 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707023419/http://resources.fifa.com/mm/document/footballdevelopment/technicalsupport/02/42/15/40/2014fwc_tsg_report_15082014web_neutral.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> In his first World Cup match as captain, he led them to a 2–1 victory over [[Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team|Bosnia and Herzegovina]]; he helped create [[Sead Kolašinac]]'s [[own goal]] and scored their second strike after a dribble past three players, his first World Cup goal since his debut in the tournament eight years earlier.<ref>{{cite news |first=Mandeep |last=Sanghera |title=Argentina 2–1 Bos-Herce |work=BBC Sport |date=15 June 2014 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25285099 |access-date=14 August 2015}}</ref> During the second match against [[Iran national football team|Iran]], he scored an injury-time goal from {{convert|23|m|yd|disp=out|abbr=off}} out to end the game in a 1–0 win, securing their qualification for the knockout phase.<ref>{{cite news |first=Rob |last=Smyth |title=Argentina v Iran, World Cup 2014: Live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=21 June 2014 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/10916423/Argentina-vs-Iran-World-Cup-2014-live.html |access-date=14 August 2015}}</ref> He scored twice in the last group match, a 3–2 victory over Nigeria, his second goal coming from a free kick, as they finished first in their group.<ref>{{cite news |first=Saj |last=Chowdhury |title=Nigeria 2–3 Argentina |work=BBC Sport |date=25 June 2014 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25285406 |access-date=14 August 2015}}</ref> Messi assisted a late goal in extra time to ensure a 1–0 win against Switzerland in the round of 16, and played in the 1–0 quarter-final win against [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]] as Argentina progressed to the semi-final of the World Cup for the first time since [[1990 FIFA World Cup|1990]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Jurejko |title=Argentina 1–0 Switzerland |work=BBC Sport |date=1 July 2014 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27990606 |access-date=14 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Ken |last=Ferris |title=Argentina Beat Belgium to Reach First Semi since 1990 |work=Reuters |date=5 July 2014 |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/soccer-world-m60-arg-bel-idINKBN0FA0PA20140705 |access-date=14 August 2015}}</ref> Following a 0–0 draw in extra time, they eliminated the Netherlands 4–2 in a penalty shootout to reach the final, with Messi scoring his team's first penalty.<ref>{{cite news |first=Phil |last=McNulty |title=Netherlands 0–0 Argentina |work=BBC Sport |date=9 July 2014 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28122293 |access-date=14 August 2015}}</ref>
 
[[File:Messi in Germany and Argentina face off in the final of the World Cup 2014 -2014-07-13 (24).jpg|thumb|upright|right|Messi battles Germany's [[Mats Hummels]] for the ball during the [[2014 FIFA World Cup Final|final]] of the 2014 FIFA World Cup]]
 
Billed as Messi versus Germany, the world's best player against the best team, the [[2014 FIFA World Cup Final|final]] was a repeat of the [[1990 FIFA World Cup Final|1990 final]] featuring Diego Maradona.<ref>{{cite news |first=Matthew |last=Futterman |title=The World Cup Final: The Best Team vs. the Best Player |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=11 July 2014 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-world-cup-final-the-best-team-vs-the-best-player-1405115575 |access-date=14 August 2015}}</ref> Within the first half-hour, Messi had started the play that led to a goal, but it was ruled offside. He missed several opportunities to open the scoring throughout the match, in particular at the start of the second half when his breakaway effort went wide of the far post. Substitute [[Mario Götze]] finally scored in the 113th minute, followed in the last minute of extra time by a free kick that Messi sent over the net, as Germany won the match 1–0 to claim the World Cup.<ref>{{cite news |first=Scott |last=Murray |title=World Cup Final 2014: Germany v Argentina – as It Happened |newspaper=The Guardian |date=13 July 2014 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jul/13/world-cup-final-2014-germany-v-argentina-live-report |access-date=14 August 2015}}</ref> At the conclusion of the final, Messi was awarded the [[FIFA World Cup awards#Golden Ball|Golden Ball]] as the best player of the tournament. In addition to being the joint third-highest goalscorer, with four goals and an assist, he created the most chances, completed the most dribbling runs, made the most deliveries into the penalty area and produced the most throughballs in the competition.<ref name="TechnicalReport"/><ref>{{cite web |first=Adam |last=Bate |title=World Cup Final: Was Lionel Messi Really a Disappointment in Brazil or Have We Just Become Numb to His Genius? |publisher=Sky Sports |date=16 July 2014 |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/15241/9381511/world-cup-final-was-lionel-messi-really-a-disappointment-in-brazil-or-have-we-just-become-numb-to-his-genius |access-date=14 August 2015}}</ref> However, his selection drew criticism due to his lack of goals in the knockout round; FIFA President [[Sepp Blatter]] expressed his surprise, while Maradona suggested that Messi had undeservedly been chosen for marketing purposes.<ref>{{cite news |title=World Cup 2014: Lionel Messi Golden Ball Surprised Sepp Blatter |work=BBC Sport |date=14 July 2014 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28294339 |access-date=14 August 2014}}</ref>
 
Another final appearance, the third of Messi's senior international career, followed in the [[2015 Copa América]], held in Chile. Under the stewardship of former Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino, Argentina entered the tournament as title contenders due to their second-place achievement at the World Cup.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gerardo 'Tata' Martino Appointed Argentina Coach |publisher=CNN |date=13 August 2014 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/08/13/sport/football/gerardo-tata-martino-argentina-football/ |access-date=14 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first1=Rex |last1=Gowar |first2=Santiago |last2=Torres |first3=Justin |last3=Palmer |title=Messi Bemoans Scoring Difficulties at Copa América |work=Reuters |date=29 June 2015 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-soccer-copa-argentina-idUSKCN0P91I820150629 |access-date=14 August 2015 |archive-date=2 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702070537/https://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/29/us-soccer-copa-argentina-idUSKCN0P91I820150629 |url-status=live}}</ref> During the opening match against Paraguay, they were ahead two goals by half-time but lost their lead to end the match in a 2–2 draw; Messi had scored from a penalty kick, netting his only goal in the tournament.<ref>{{cite news |title=Argentina 2–2 Paraguay |work=BBC Sport |date=13 June 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/33081605 |access-date=14 August 2015}}</ref> Following a 1–0 win against defending champions Uruguay, Messi earned his [[List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps|100th cap]] for his country in the final group match, a 1–0 win over [[Jamaica national football team|Jamaica]], becoming only the fifth Argentine to achieve this milestone.<ref name="100thCap">{{cite web |first1=Gideon |last1=Long |first2=Tony |last2=Jimenez |title=Messi Wins 100th Argentina Cap |work=Reuters |date=21 June 2015 |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/soccer-copa-messi-idINKBN0P106720150621 |access-date=14 August 2015}}</ref> In his 100 appearances, he had scored a total of 46 goals for Argentina, 22 of which came in official competitive matches.<ref name="Century"/><ref name="100thCap"/>
 
As Messi evolved from the team's symbolic captain into a genuine leader, he led Argentina to the knockout stage as group winners.<ref name="Hostile">{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Wilson |title=Even Hostile Chile Fans Forced to Acknowledge Lionel Messi's Greatness |newspaper=The Guardian |date=1 July 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jul/01/lionel-messi-copa-america-argetina-greatness |access-date=14 August 2015}}</ref> In the quarter-final, they created numerous chances, including a rebound header by Messi, but were repeatedly denied by Colombia's goalkeeper, and ultimately ended the match scoreless, leading to a 5–4 penalty shootout in their favour, with Messi netting his team's first spot kick.<ref>{{cite web |title=Argentina Beat Colombia on Penalties to Reach Copa America Semifinal |publisher=ESPN FC |date=26 June 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/copa-america/match/424362/argentina-colombia/report |access-date=14 August 2015}}</ref> At the semi-final stage, Messi excelled as a playmaker as he provided three assists and helped create three more goals in his side's 6–1 victory over Paraguay, receiving applause from the initially hostile crowd.<ref name="Hostile"/> Argentina started the [[2015 Copa América Final|final]] as the odds-on title favourites, but were defeated by Chile 4–1 in a penalty shootout after an 0–0 extra-time draw. Faced with aggression from opposing players, including taking a boot to the midriff, Messi played below his standards, though he was the only Argentine to successfully convert his penalty.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Wilson |title=Hosts Chile Stun Argentina to Claim First Copa América Title on Penalties |newspaper=The Guardian |date=5 July 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jul/05/chile-argentina-copa-america-final-match-report |access-date=14 August 2015}}</ref> At the close of the tournament, he was reportedly selected to receive the [[2015 Copa América#Awards|Most Valuable Player]] award but rejected the honour.<ref>{{cite web |first=Adriana |last=Garcia |title=Argentina's Lionel Messi Grateful for Support after Copa América Defeat |publisher=ESPN FC |date=7 July 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/copa-america/story/2514749/lionel-messi-grateful-for-support-after-copa-america-defeat |access-date=14 August 2015}}</ref> As Argentina continued a trophy drought that began in 1993, the World Cup and Copa América defeats again brought intense criticism for Messi from Argentine media and fans.<ref>{{cite news |first=Ken |last=Ferris |title=Coach: I'd Have Stopped Playing for Argentina if I Was Messi |newspaper=The New York Times |date=5 August 2015 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2015/08/05/sports/soccer/05reuters-soccer-argentina-messi.html?ref=topics |access-date=14 August 2015}}</ref>
 
=== 2016–17: Third Copa América final, retirement, and return ===
Messi's place in Argentina's [[Copa América Centenario]] squad was initially put in jeopardy when he sustained a back injury in a 1–0 friendly win over [[Honduras national football team|Honduras]] in a pre-Copa América warm-up match on 27 May 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.us/report?gameId=448440 |title=Lionel Messi leaves Argentina's friendly win vs. Honduras with back injury |publisher=ESPN FC |date=27 May 2016 |access-date=7 June 2016}}</ref> It was later reported that he had suffered a deep bruise in his lumbar region. He was later left on the bench in Argentina's 2–1 opening win over defending champions Chile on 6 June due to concerns regarding his fitness.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jun/07/argentina-top-chile-in-rematch-of-last-years-copa-america-final |title=Argentina top Chile in rematch of last year's Copa América final |work=The Guardian |date=7 June 2016 |access-date=7 June 2016}}</ref> Although Messi was declared match-fit for his nation's second group match against [[Panama national football team|Panama]] on 10 June, Martino left him on the bench once again; he replaced [[Augusto Fernández]] in the 61st minute and subsequently scored a hat-trick in 19 minutes, also starting the play which led to [[Sergio Agüero]]'s goal, as the match ended in a 5–0 victory, sealing Argentina's place in the quarter-finals of the competition;<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jun/10/lionel-messi-hat-trick-argentina-panama-copa-america |title=Lionel Messi scores brilliant hat-trick as Argentina surge into quarter-finals |work=The Guardian |date=11 June 2016 |access-date=11 June 2016}}</ref> he was elected man of the match for his performance.<ref name=MOTM-ARG-PAN>{{cite web |url=http://www.ca2016.com/matches/16 |title=Match 16 : Argentina vs Panama |publisher=[[Copa América Centenario]] |date=10 June 2016|access-date=10 June 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609183110/http://www.ca2016.com/matches/16 |archive-date=9 June 2016}}</ref>
 
{{quote box|width=30%|align=right|quote="Did it annoy me that Messi took the record? A little, yes. You go around the world and people say, 'he's the top scorer for the Argentina national team.' But the advantage I have is that I'm second to an extraterrestrial."|source=– [[Gabriel Batistuta]] on the consolation of Messi breaking his record.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/argentina/story/3268110/gabriel-batistuta-lionel-messi-taking-my-argentina-record-annoyed-me |title=Gabriel Batistuta – Lionel Messi taking my Argentina record annoyed me |agency=ESPN |first=Adriana |last=Garcia |date=13 November 2017 |access-date=15 August 2018}}</ref>}}
On 18 June, in the quarter-final of the Copa América against Venezuela, Messi produced another man of the match performance,<ref name=MOTM-ARG-VEN>{{cite web |url=http://www.ca2016.com/matches/27 |title=Match 27 : Argentina vs Venezuela |publisher=[[Copa América Centenario]] |date=18 June 2016 |access-date=18 June 2016 |df={{cbignore}}}}</ref> assisting two goals and scoring another in a 4–1 victory, which enabled him to equal Gabriel Batistuta's national record of 54 goals in official international matches.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36569759 |title=Copa America: Lionel Messi equals Gabriel Batistuta's Argentina record |date=19 June 2016 |access-date=19 June 2016 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> This record was broken three days later when Messi scored a free kick in a 4–0 semi-final win against hosts the United States; he also assisted two goals during the match as Argentina sealed a place in the final of the competition for a second consecutive year,<ref name="record">{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi equals Argentina's all-time goal-scoring record |url=http://www.espnfc.com/argentina/story/2897489/lionel-messi-equals-argentinas-gabriel-batistuta-all-time-goal-scoring-record |work=ESPN FC |date=22 June 2016 |access-date=22 June 2016}}</ref> and was named man of the match once again.<ref name=MOTM-USA-ARG>{{cite web |url=http://www.ca2016.com/matches/29 |title=Match 29 : United States vs Argentina |publisher=[[Copa América Centenario]] |date=21 June 2016|access-date=21 June 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618001954/http://www.ca2016.com/matches/29 |archive-date=18 June 2016}}</ref>
 
During a repeat of the previous year's [[Copa América Centenario Final|final]] on 26 June, Argentina once again lost to Chile on penalties after a 0–0 deadlock, resulting in Messi's third consecutive defeat in a major tournament final with Argentina, and his fourth overall. After the match, Messi, who had missed his penalty in the shootout, announced his retirement from international football.<ref name="Messi retirement">{{cite news |date=27 June 2016 |title=Lionel Messi retires from Argentina after Copa America final loss to Chile |url=http://www.espnfc.com/copa-america/story/2902891/lionel-messi-flags-potential-argentina-retirement-after-penalty-loss-to-chile |work=ESPN FC}}</ref> He stated, "I tried my hardest. The team has ended for me, a decision made."<ref>{{cite news |date=27 June 2016 |title=Devastated Messi announces likely retirement from Argentina |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2016/06/27/football/copa-america-lionel-messi/ |publisher=CNN}}</ref> Chile coach [[Juan Antonio Pizzi]] said after the match, "My generation can't compare him to Maradona that's for my generation, because of what Maradona did for Argentine football. But I think the best player ever played today here in the United States."<ref>{{cite news |date=26 June 2016 |title=Lionel Messi says his Argentina career is over after Copa América final defeat |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jun/27/lionel-messi-says-he-is-quitting-argentina-team-after-copa-america-final-defeat |work=The Guardian}}</ref> Messi finished the tournament as the second highest scorer, behind [[Eduardo Vargas]], with five goals, and was the highest assist provider with four assists, also winning more [[Copa América Centenario statistics#Man of the Match|Man of the Match awards]] than any other player in the tournament (3);<ref name="conmebol-stats">{{Cite web|url=http://estadisticas.conmebol.com/html/v3/index.html?channel=deportes.futbol.copaamerica.statsCenterPerPlayer&lang=es_LA|title=HTML Center|website=estadisticas.conmebol.com|access-date=8 April 2020}}</ref> he was named to the [[Copa América Centenario#Awards|team of the tournament]] for his performances, but missed out on the Golden Ball Award for best player, which went to [[Alexis Sánchez]].<ref name="Copa América 2016: Awards">{{cite web |title=Copa América 2016: Awards |publisher=Copa America Organisation |date=27 June 2016 |url=http://www.ca2016.com/awards |access-date=27 June 2016}}</ref>
 
Following his announcement, a campaign began in Argentina for Messi to change his mind about retiring.<ref>{{cite news |title=Argentina don't want Messi to retire |agency=Sky Sports |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12026/10327302/argentina-hope-lionel-messi-reconsiders-retirement-says-guillem-balague |date=28 June 2016}}</ref> He was greeted by fans with signs like "Don't go, Leo" when the team landed in Buenos Aires. [[President of Argentina]] [[Mauricio Macri]] urged Messi not to quit, stating, "We are lucky, it is one of life's pleasures, it is a gift from God to have the best player in the world in a footballing country like ours... Lionel Messi is the greatest thing we have in Argentina and we must take care of him."<ref>{{cite news |title=Messi 'God's gift' to Argentina – president |newspaper=AS |url=http://en.as.com/en/2016/06/28/football/1467141271_384638.html |date=28 June 2016}}</ref> Mayor of Buenos Aires [[Horacio Rodríguez Larreta]] unveiled a statue of Messi in the capital to convince him to reconsider retirement.<ref>{{cite news |title=Inauguran en Buenos Aires una estatua en homenaje a Messi |newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo (Spanish) |url=http://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/20160628/402829485468/inauguran-en-buenos-aires-estatua-en-homenaje-a-messi.html |date=28 June 2016}}</ref> The campaign also continued in the streets and avenues of the Argentine capital, with about 50,000 supporters going to the [[Obelisco de Buenos Aires]] on 2 July, using the same slogan.<ref>{{cite news |title=Macri, Maradona and the Argentine people rally together to prompt Messi U-turn |work=Sport |url=http://www.sport-english.com/en/news/world-football/macri-maradona-and-the-argentine-people-rally-together-prompt-messi-u-turn-5234915 |date=28 June 2016}}</ref>
 
==== Return ====
{{Quote box|quote="A lot of things went through my mind on the night of the final and I gave serious thought to quitting, but my love for my country and this shirt is too great."|source=– Messi reversing his decision from retiring on 12 August 2016<ref>{{cite news |date=12 August 2016 |title=Lionel Messi: Argentina striker reverses decision to retire from national team |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/37066033}}</ref>|align=left|width=30%}}
 
Just a week after Messi announced his international retirement, Argentine newspaper ''[[La Nación]]'' reported that he was reconsidering playing for Argentina at the [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers]] in September.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Roger |title=La Nacion claims to know that Lionel Messi will return to Argentina national team |url=http://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/report-friend-of-messi-hints-reconsidering-retirement-from-argentina/ |work=[[CBSSports.com]] |date=3 July 2016 |access-date=5 July 2016}}</ref> On 12 August, it was confirmed that Messi had reversed his decision to retire from international football, and he was included in the squad for the national team's upcoming 2018 World Cup qualifiers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.us/argentina/story/2928133/lionel-messi-to-make-argentina-return-after-brief-international-retirement |title=Lionel Messi to make Argentina return after brief international retirement |publisher=ESPN FC |date=12 August 2016 |access-date=13 August 2016}}</ref> On 1 September, in his first game back, he scored in a 1–0 home win over Uruguay in a 2018 World Cup qualifier.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.beinsports.com/en/world-cup-qualifiers/news/messi-strikes-back-as-argentina-sink-uruguay/328680 |title=Messi strikes back as Argentina sink Uruguay |publisher=beIN SPORTS |date=1 September 2016 |access-date=1 September 2016}}</ref>
 
[[File:ECUADOR VS ARGENTINA (37594548472).jpg|thumb|right|Messi celebrates his hat-trick against [[Ecuador national football team|Ecuador]] on 10 October 2017. His goals sent Argentina through to the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]] in Russia.]]
 
On 28 March 2017, Messi was suspended for four international games for insulting an assistant referee in a game against Chile on 23 March 2017. He was also fined CHF 10,000.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi suspended for four matches |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=3/news=lionel-messi-suspended-for-four-matches-2877817.html |publisher=FIFA |date=28 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi: Barcelona and Argentina forward banned for 'insulting' assistant ref |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39423000 |work=BBC Sport |date=28 March 2017}}</ref> On 5 May, Messi's four match ban as well as his 10,000 CHF fine was lifted by [[FIFA]] after Argentina Football Association appealed against his suspension, which meant he could now play Argentina's remaining World Cup Qualifiers.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.fifa.com/governance/news/y=2017/m=5/news=fifa-appeal-committee-passes-decision-on-lionel-messi-2882666.html |title=FIFA Appeal Committee passes decision on Lionel Messi |last=FIFA.com |date=5 May 2017 |publisher=FIFA|access-date=6 June 2017}}</ref> Argentina's place in the [[2018 FIFA World Cup|2018 World Cup]] was in jeopardy going into their final qualifying match as they were sixth in their group, outside the five possible CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying spots, meaning they risked failing to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1970. On 10 October, Messi led his country to World Cup qualification in scoring a hat-trick as Argentina came from behind to defeat [[Ecuador national football team|Ecuador]] 3–1 away; Argentina had not defeated Ecuador in [[Quito]] since 2001.<ref name="Guardian 2017" /> Messi's three goals saw him become the joint all-time leading scorer in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers with 21 goals, alongside Uruguay's [[Luis Suárez]], overtaking the previous record which was held by compatriot [[Hernán Crespo]].<ref name="Guardian 2017">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/oct/11/lionel-messi-hat-trick-secures-argentinas-passage-to-world-cup |title=Lionel Messi hat-trick secures Argentina's passage to World Cup |work=The Guardian |date=11 October 2017}}</ref>
 
=== 2018: World Cup ===
{{quote box|width=30%|align=left|quote="The squad is the worst in their history. Even having the best player in the world was not capable of creating a competitive team. All the decline of recent times was hidden by this unrivalled genius [Messi]"|source=– Former Argentine player [[Osvaldo Ardiles]] on the decline in quality of Argentina being masked by Messi.<ref>{{cite news |title=Argentina: World Cup squad is the 'worst in their history' says Ossie Ardiles |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44575673?isBumped=0&postFreq=0&isEmpty=0&isProfane=0&tooLong=0&charCount=0&isAwaitingProcessPreMod=0&isSubmitted=1&filter=none&initial_page_size=10&postId=130889060 |agency=BBC |access-date=22 June 2018}}</ref>}}
Following on from their poor qualification campaign, expectations were not high going into the [[2018 FIFA World Cup|2018 World Cup]], with the team, without an injured Messi, losing 6–1 to Spain in March 2018.<ref>{{cite news |title=Spain 6–1 Argentina |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43549056 |agency=BBC Sport |date=22 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Messi: 'Now or Never' for His Argentina Generation to Win World Cup |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2018/03/27/lionel-messi-reveals-personal-world-cup-regrets-and-admits-argentina-not-contenders-2018 |agency=Sports Illustrated |date=1 July 2018}}</ref> Prior to Argentina's opener, there was speculation in the media over whether this would be Messi's final World Cup.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/argentina/story/3527894/lionel-messi-argentinas-results-will-decide-if-this-is-my-last-world-cup |title=Lionel Messi: Argentina's results will decide if this is my last World Cup |publisher=ESPN FC |first=Jeff |last=Carlisle |date=15 June 2018 |access-date=30 June 2018}}</ref> In the team's opening group match against [[Iceland national football team|Iceland]] on 16 June, Messi missed a potential match-winning penalty in an eventual 1–1 draw.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44422188 |title=Argentina 1–1 Iceland |work=BBC Sport |first=Chris |last=Bevan |date=16 June 2018 |access-date=23 June 2018}}</ref> In Argentina's second game on 21 June, the team lost 3–0 to [[Croatia national football team|Croatia]]. Post-match the Argentina coach [[Jorge Sampaoli]] spoke of the lack of quality in the team surrounding Messi, saying "we quite simply couldn't pass to him to help him generate the situations he is used to. We worked to give him the ball but the opponent also worked hard to prevent him from getting the ball. We lost that battle".<ref>{{cite news |title=World Cup 2018: Argentina 'cloud Lionel Messi's brilliance', says coach Jorge Sampaoli |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44567336 |agency=BBC |date=22 June 2018}}</ref> Croatia captain and midfielder [[Luka Modrić]] also stated post match, "Messi is an incredible player but he can't do everything alone."<ref>{{cite news |title=Luka Modric defends Messi: 'He can't do everything by himself' |url=https://tribuna.com/fcbarcelona/en/news/2785441/ |work=Tribuna |date=22 June 2018}}</ref>
 
[[File:Messi vs Nigeria1.jpg|thumb|right|Messi celebrates his goal against [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]] at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.]]
In Argentina's final group match against Nigeria at the [[Krestovsky Stadium]], Saint Petersburg on 26 June, Messi scored the opening goal in an eventual 2–1 victory, becoming the third Argentine after Diego Maradona and Gabriel Batistuta to score in three different World Cups; he also became the first player to score in the World Cup in his teens, twenties, and his thirties.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/26/sports/world-cup/argentina-vs-nigeria-messi.html |title=Relief for Argentina and Lionel Messi After World Cup Thriller |work=The New York Times |first=Andrew |last=Das |date=26 June 2018 |access-date=26 June 2018}}</ref> A goal of the tournament contender, Messi received a long pass from midfield and controlled the ball on the run with two touches before striking it across goal into the net with his weaker right foot.<ref>{{cite news |title='The boy is back in town' – stunning Messi goal gives Argentina lead |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44620631 |agency=BBC |date=26 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Hyundai Goal of the Tournament |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/goal-of-the-tournament/ |access-date=5 November 2018 |agency=FIFA.com}}</ref> He was later awarded Man of the Match.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/russia2018/matches/match/300331519/#motm |title=Nigeria v Argentina – Man of the Match |work=FIFA |date=26 June 2018 |access-date=9 June 2021}}</ref> Argentina progressed to the second round as group runners-up behind Croatia.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nigeria 1 – 2 Argentina |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44439263 |agency=BBC |last=Skelton |first=Jack |date=26 June 2018}}</ref> In the round of 16 match against eventual champions [[France national football team|France]] on 30 June, Messi set up [[Gabriel Mercado]]'s and Sergio Agüero's goals in a 3–4 defeat, which saw Argentina eliminated from the World Cup.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/football/43976007 |title=France 4–3 Argentina |work=BBC Sport |first=Emlyn |last=Begley |date=30 June 2018 |access-date=30 June 2018}}</ref> With his two assists in his team's second round fixture, Messi became the first player to provide an assist in the last four World Cups, and also became the first player to provide two assists in a match for Argentina since Diego Maradona had managed the same feat against South Korea in 1986.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/messi-ronaldo-bow-out-in-dramatic-knockout-openers |title=Messi, Ronaldo bow out in dramatic knockout openers |publisher=FIFA |date=30 June 2018 |access-date=1 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/world-cup/news/cristiano-ronaldo-vs-lionel-messi-at-the-2018-world-cup-argentina-and-portugal-eliminated/ |title=Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Lionel Messi at the 2018 World Cup: Argentina and Portugal eliminated |work=CBS Sports |first=Kevin |last=Skiver |date=1 July 2018 |access-date=1 July 2018}}</ref>
 
Following the tournament, Messi stated that he would not participate in Argentina's friendlies against Guatemala and Colombia in September, and commented that it would be unlikely that he would represent his nation for the remainder of the calendar year. Messi's absence from the national team and his continued failure to win a title with Argentina prompted speculation in the media that Messi might retire from international football once again.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/argentina/story/3597316/lionel-messi-unlikely-for-argentina-duties-for-rest-of-year |title=Lionel Messi unlikely for Argentina duties for rest of year – sources |publisher=ESPN FC |date=14 August 2018 |access-date=16 September 2018}}</ref> In March 2019, however, he was called up to the Argentina squad once again for the team's friendlies against Venezuela and [[Morocco national football team|Morocco]] later that month.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/mar/07/lionel-messi-returns-to-argentina-squad-for-first-time-since-world-cup |title=Lionel Messi returns to Argentina squad for first time since World Cup |work=The Guardian |date=7 March 2019 |access-date=10 March 2019}}</ref> He made his international return on 22 March, in a 3–1 friendly defeat to Venezuela, in Madrid.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47662363 |title=Argentina 1–3 Venezuela |work=BBC Sport |date=22 March 2019 |access-date=23 March 2019}}</ref>
 
=== 2019–20: Copa América third-place, suspension and Superclásico victory===
On 21 May, Messi was included in [[Lionel Scaloni]]'s final 23-man Argentina squad for the [[2019 Copa América]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2019/05/21/argentina-copa-america-squad-roster-messi-aguero-dybala-scaloni |title=Messi Leads Argentina's Copa America Squad; Icardi Omitted |work=Sports Illustrated |first=Avi |last=Creditor |date=21 May 2019 |access-date=21 May 2019}}</ref> In Argentina's second group match of the tournament on 19 June, Messi scored the equalising goal from the penalty spot in a 1–1 draw against Paraguay.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/argentina-draws-with-paraguay-1-1-in-copa-america/2019/06/19/d3705b18-9306-11e9-956a-88c291ab5c38_story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620030856/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/argentina-draws-with-paraguay-1-1-in-copa-america/2019/06/19/d3705b18-9306-11e9-956a-88c291ab5c38_story.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 June 2019 |title=Argentina draws with Paraguay 1–1 in Copa America |work=The Washington Post |date=19 June 2019 |access-date=20 June 2019}}</ref> After coming under criticism in the media over his performance following Argentina's 2–0 victory over Venezuela in the quarter-finals at the Maracanã Stadium on 28 June, Messi commented that it had not been his best Copa América, while also criticising the poor quality of the pitches.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tsn.ca/messi-admits-not-playing-well-for-argentina-at-copa-america-1.1330224 |title=Messi admits not playing well for Argentina at Copa America |publisher=TSN |date=28 June 2019 |access-date=29 September 2019}}</ref> Following Argentina's 2–0 defeat to hosts Brazil in the semi-finals on 2 July, Messi was critical of the refereeing during the match,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.beinsports.com/au/copa-america/news/messi-blasts-bulls-refereeing/1233003 |title=Messi blasts 'bulls***' refereeing |work=beIN Sports |date=3 July 2019 |access-date=7 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Lionel Messi's corruption claim dismissed by Copa América organisers |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jul/06/lionel-messi-controversial-red-card-argentina-chile-match-report |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210613141928/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jul/06/lionel-messi-controversial-red-card-argentina-chile-match-report |date=6 July 2019 |archive-date=13 June 2021 |work=Press Association |via=The Guardian |access-date=13 June 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> and alleged the competition was "setup" for Brazil to win.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Argentina's Rodrigo de Paul: 'Messi surprised me. He enjoys a song, cards' |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210611152256/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jun/11/argentinas-rodrigo-de-paul-messi-surprised-me-he-enjoys-a-song-cards |archive-date=11 June 2021 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jun/11/argentinas-rodrigo-de-paul-messi-surprised-me-he-enjoys-a-song-cards |date=11 June 2021 |work=The Guardian |last=Lowe |first=Sid |access-date=13 June 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> In the third-place match against Chile on 6 July, Messi set-up Agüero's opening goal from a free kick in an eventual 2–1 win, to help Argentina capture the bronze medal; however, he was sent off along with [[Gary Medel]] in the 37th minute of play, after being involved in an altercation with the Chilean defender.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/copa-america/0/blog/post/3894006/messis-red-card-overshadows-argentinas-encouraging-win-and-chiles-end-of-an-era |title=Messi's red card overshadows Argentina's encouraging win and Chile's end of an era |publisher=ESPN |last=Vickery |first=Tim |date=6 July 2019 |access-date=7 July 2019}}</ref> Following the match, Messi refused to collect his medal, and implied in a post-match interview that his comments following the semi-final led to his sending off.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/argentina/story/3894693/angry-messi-cites-corruption-after-copa-red-card |title=Angry Messi cites 'corruption' after Copa red card |publisher=ESPN FC |date=7 July 2019 |access-date=7 July 2019}}</ref> Messi later issued an apology for his comments, but was fined $1,500 and was handed a one-match ban by CONMEBOL, which ruled him out of Argentina's next [[2022 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|World Cup qualifier]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/argentina/story/3905355/messi-gets-wc-qualifier-ban-for-copa-red-card |title=Messi gets WC qualifier ban for Copa red card |work=ESPN FC |date=23 July 2019 |access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref> On 2 August, Messi was banned for three months from international football and was fined $50,000 by CONMEBOL for his comments against the referee's decisions; this ban meant he would miss Argentina's friendly matches against Chile, Mexico and Germany in September and October.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.conmebol.com/es/suspension-y-multa-para-lionel-messi |title=Suspensión y multa para Lionel Messi |work=CONMEBOL |language=es|date=2 August 2019|access-date=3 August 2019}}</ref> On 15 November, Messi played in the [[2019 Superclásico de las Américas]] versus Brazil, scoring the winning goal by a rebound of his saved penalty..<ref>{{cite web|date=15 November 2019|title=Brazil 0–1 Argentina |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50424452 |work=[[BBC Sport]]|accessdate=6 June 2021}}</ref> On 8 October 2020, Messi scored a penalty in a 1–0 victory against Ecuador, giving Argentina a winning start to their [[2022 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|2022 World Cup qualifying]] campaign.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Argentina vs. Ecuador - Football Match Report - October 9, 2020|url=https://www.espn.in/football/report/_/gameId/561096|access-date=2021-07-11|work=ESPN}}</ref>
 
=== 2021: Appearance record and Copa América victory ===
On 14 June 2021, Messi scored from a free kick in a 1–1 draw against Chile in Argentina's opening group match of the [[2021 Copa América]] in Brazil.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/copa-america/argentina-vs-chile/cronica/2021/06/15/60c7e18e22601d45348b45ac.html |title=Messi's Argentina thwarted by Chile |work=MARCA |date=14 June 2021 |access-date=15 June 2021}}</ref> On 21 June, Messi played in his 147th match as he equalled Javier Mascherano's record for most appearances for Argentina in a 1–0 win over [[Paraguay national football team|Paraguay]] in their third game of the tournament.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lionel Messi sigue haciendo historia: igualó a Mascherano como el jugador con más presencias en la Selección|language=ES|url=https://www.afa.com.ar/es/posts/lionel-messi-sigue-haciendo-historia-igualo-a-mascherano-como-el-jugador-con-mas-presencias-en-la-seleccion|website=afa.com.ar|date=21 June 2021|accessdate=22 June 2021}}</ref> A week later, he broke the record for most appearances in an Argentina shirt when he featured in a 4–1 win against [[Bolivia national football team|Bolivia]] in his team's final group match, assisting [[Papu Gómez]]'s opening goal and later scoring two.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/argentina-arg/story/4422176/messi-sets-argentina-appearances-mark-in-copa-america-match-vs-bolivia|title=Messi sets Argentina appearances mark in Copa America match vs. Bolivia |work=ESPN |first=Sam |last=Marsden|date=28 June 2021|accessdate=29 June 2021}}</ref> On 3 July, Messi assisted twice and scored from a free-kick in a 3–0 win over Ecuador in the quarter-finals of the competition.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/argentina-vs-ecuador-score-sensational-messi-leads-albiceleste-into-copa-america-semifinals/live/ |title=Argentina vs. Ecuador score: Sensational Messi leads Albiceleste into Copa America semifinals |work=CBSSports.com |date=3 July 2021 |access-date=4 July 2021}}</ref> On 6 July, in a 1–1 draw in the semi-finals against Colombia, Messi made his 150th appearance for his country and registered his fifth assist of the tournament, a cut-back for [[Lautaro Martínez]], matching his record of nine goal contributions in a single tournament from five years earlier; he later netted his spot kick in Argentina's eventual 3–2 penalty shoot-out victory to progress to his fifth international final.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/report?gameId=603184 |title=Argentina vs. Colombia - Football Match Report - July 6, 2021 - ESPN |work=ESPN.com |date=6 July 2021 |access-date=7 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thescore.com/esp_fed/news/2186119 |title=Messi driving Argentina at Copa America |publisher=theScore.com |date=6 July 2021 |access-date=7 July 2021}}</ref> On 10 July, Argentina defeated hosts Brazil 1–0 in the [[2021 Copa América Final|final]], giving Messi his first major international title and Argentina's first since [[1993 Copa América|1993]], as well as his nation's joint record 15th Copa América overall.<ref name="Copa América final">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2021/jul/10/argentina-v-brazil-copa-america-final-live |title=Argentina 1-0 Brazil: Copa América final – live! |work=The Guardian |last=Graham |first=Bryan Armen |date=11 July 2021 |access-date=11 July 2021}}</ref> Messi was directly involved in 9 out of the 12 goals scored by Argentina, scoring four and assisting five; he was named the player of the tournament for his performances, an honour he shared with Neymar. He also finished as the tournament's top scorer with four goals tied with Colombia's [[Luis Díaz (Colombian footballer)|Luis Díaz]], although the Golden Boot was awarded to Messi as he had more assists.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Leo Messi named player of tournament in Copa América |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/news/2187432/leo-messi-named-player-of-tournament-in-copa-america |access-date=11 July 2021 |work=FC Barcelona}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Lionel Messi and Luis Diaz wins 2021 Copa America Golden Boot |url=https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/who-is-leading-the-race-for-copa-americas-golden-boot/1unofbxrqy1bm10fsnoy5cyvi6 |access-date=11 July 2021 |work=Goal}}</ref>
 
== Player profile ==
=== Style of play ===
[[File:Argentina team in St. Petersburg (cropped) Messi.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|A versatile forward, Messi often plays as a classic [[Midfielder#Attacking midfielder|number 10]].]]
 
Due to his short stature, Messi has a lower centre of gravity than taller players, which gives him greater agility, allowing him to change direction more quickly and evade opposing tackles;<ref name="GoldenYell">{{cite news |first=Cordt |last=Schnibben |title=The Golden Yell: Ronaldo and Messi Battle to Define a Football Era |work=Der Spiegel |date=6 June 2012 |url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/ronaldo-and-messi-compete-to-define-a-football-era-a-837019.html |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="FiveReasons">{{cite news |first=Karl |last=Ritter |title=Five Reasons Why Messi Stands out in Soccer World |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=12 July 2014 |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/07/12/reasons-why-messi-stands-out-football-world/mreF1boxmpDQcq7ZWenjqJ/story.html |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> this has led the Spanish media to dub him ''La Pulga Atómica'' ("The Atomic Flea").<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi, goals for 2010 |publisher=Mundo Deportivo (Spanish) |date=7 December 2009 |url=http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20091206/messi-goles-para-2010_53837938612.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi becomes the 'Atomic Flea' |publisher=Goal |date=20 September 2012 |url=http://www.goal.com/es/news/4284/el-fotomontaje-del-d%C3%ADa/2012/09/20/3390051/lionel-messi-se-convierte-en-la-pulga-at%C3%B3mica}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Messi, The Atomic Flea who became the best in the world |publisher=AS (Spanish) |date=28 January 2016 |url=http://as.com/m/videos/2016/01/28/colombia/1453936234_817270.html}}</ref> Despite being physically unimposing, he possesses significant upper-body strength, which, combined with his low centre of gravity and resulting balance, aids him in withstanding physical challenges from opponents; he has consequently been noted for his lack of [[Diving (association football)|diving]] in a sport rife with playacting.<ref name="Here"/><ref name="FiveReasons"/><ref name="MakingCase">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/champions-league/7532805/Arsenal-v-Barcelona-Lionel-Messi-making-case-for-worlds-greatest-ever-player.html |title=Arsenal v Barcelona: Lionel Messi Making Case for World's Greatest Ever Player |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |first=Kevin |last=Garside |date=29 March 2010 |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> His short, strong legs allow him to excel in short bursts of acceleration while his quick feet enable him to retain control of the ball when [[Dribbling#Association football|dribbling]] at speed.<ref>{{cite web |first=Lucas |last=Brown |title=Lionel Messi – the New Maradona? |publisher=UEFA |date=30 September 2005 |url=http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=347644.html |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> His former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola once stated, "Messi is the only player that runs faster with the ball than he does without it."<ref name="FTMag"/> Although he has improved his ability with his weaker foot since his mid-20s, Messi is predominantly a left-footed player; with the outside of his left foot, he usually begins dribbling runs, while he uses the inside of his foot to finish and provide passes and assists.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|p=553}}<ref name="Control">{{cite news |first=Fabio |last=Monti |title=Controllo, Corsa, Tocco di Palla: Perché nel Calcio Piccolo è Bello |trans-title=Control, Stroke and Touch on the Ball: Because in Football Small Is Beautiful |newspaper=Corriere della Sera |language=it |date=8 April 2010 |url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/aprile/08/Controllo_corsa_tocco_palla_Perche_co_9_100408088.shtml |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref>
 
A prolific goalscorer, Messi is known for his finishing, positioning, quick reactions, and ability to make attacking runs to beat the defensive line. He also functions in a [[Playmaker|playmaking]] role, courtesy of his vision and range of passing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thesportster.com/soccer/top-25-greatest-playmakers-ever|title= Top 25 Greatest Playmakers Ever|work=The Sportster|date= 4 July 2015|access-date=22 September 2020}}</ref> He has often been described as a magician; a conjurer, creating goals and opportunities where seemingly none exist.<ref>{{Cite web|date=7 January 2020|title=Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, goals, records, highlights, Juventus, hat trick, statistics, best stats, age, break down|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/cristiano-ronaldo-lionel-messi-goals-highlights-juventus-hat-trick-statistics-age-break-down/news-story/705ff21fcd63e4e372bb62d9f7c3e00a|access-date=10 August 2020|work=Fox Sports}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=As Lionel Messi turns 32, a fan ruminates on the ambivalent legacy of the football wizard|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/sports/as-lionel-messi-turns-32-a-fan-ruminates-on-the-ambivalent-legacy-of-the-football-wizard/cid/1693021|access-date=10 August 2020|work=Telegraph India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=27 July 2008|title=Lionel Messi steals the show for Barcelona at Dundee United|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/2462724/Lionel-Messi-steals-the-show-for-Barcelona-at-Dundee-United.html|access-date=10 August 2020|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> Moreover, he is an accurate [[Direct free kick|free kick]] and [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty kick]] taker.<ref name="FiveReasons"/><ref name="SixReasons">{{cite web |first=Francesc |last=Tomas |title=Six Reasons Why Lionel Messi Is the World's Best |publisher=ESPN FC |date=25 June 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/club/barcelona/83/blog/post/2504382/six-reasons-why-lionel-messi-is-worlds-best |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> As of August 2021, Messi ranks 11th all time in goals scored from direct free kicks with 58,<ref>{{cite news |last=Banerjee |first=Ritabrata |title=Lionel Messi four goals short of Diego Maradona's free-kick record |url=https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/lionel-messi-four-goals-short-of-diego-maradona-free-kick/25m70zxsodmfzalts0l14m4s |access-date=3 August 2021 |work=Goal |date=4 July 2021}}</ref> the most among active players.<ref>{{cite news |last=Copeland |first=Robbie |title=Lionel Messi becomes top free-kick scorer among active players |url=https://www.90min.com/posts/lionel-messi-top-free-kick-scorer-active-players-cristiano-ronaldo-copa-america |access-date=3 August 2021 |work=90min.com |date=4 July 2021}}</ref> He also has a penchant for scoring from [[Chip (association football)|chips]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2017/02/22/58adac0ae5fdea9b038b45d2.html|title=The art of the chip: Falcao matches Totti, Messi and Raul |publisher=Marca |last=del Río |first=Joel |date=22 February 2017 |accessdate=11 April 2017}}</ref>
[[File:Lionel Messi Player of the Year, 2011.jpg|thumb|left|Messi is known to drop deep, link-up with midfielders, orchestrate attacking plays, and create goal-scoring opportunities.]]
 
Messi's pace and technical ability enable him to undertake individual dribbling runs towards goal, in particular during counterattacks, usually starting from the halfway line or the right side of the pitch.<ref name="MakingCase"/><ref name="SixReasons"/><ref name="Loose Vuvuzela">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/22/opinion/22iht-edcohen.html |title=The Loose Vuvuzela |work=The New York Times |last=Cohen |first=Roger |date=21 June 2010 |access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref> Widely considered to be the best dribbler in the world,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/lionel-messi-dribbling-2015-6 |title=Here's what makes Lionel Messi so impossible to defend |work=Business Insider |first=Scott |last=Davis |date=6 June 2015 |access-date=8 November 2015}}</ref> and one of the greatest dribblers of all time,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/may/07/lionel-messi-barcelona-bayern-munich |title=Lionel Messi: the genius who operates to a different set of physical rules |work=The Guardian |first=Barney |last=Ronay |date=7 May 2015 |access-date=8 November 2015}}</ref> with regard to this ability, his former Argentina manager Diego Maradona has said of him, "The ball stays glued to his foot; I've seen great players in my career, but I've never seen anyone with Messi's ball control."<ref name="Control"/> Beyond his individual qualities, he is also a well-rounded, hard-working team player, known for his creative combinations, in particular with former Barcelona midfielders [[Xavi]] and [[Andrés Iniesta]].<ref name="GoldenYell"/><ref name="FiveReasons"/>
 
Tactically, Messi plays in a free attacking role; a versatile player, he is capable of attacking on either wing or through the centre of the pitch. His favoured position in childhood was the playmaker behind two strikers, known as the ''enganche'' in Argentine football, but he began his career in Spain as a [[Association football positions#Winger|left-winger]] or [[Forward (association football)#Second striker|left-sided forward]].{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=155–156, 405–406}} Upon his first-team debut, he was moved onto the right wing by manager [[Frank Rijkaard]]; from this position, he could more easily cut through the defence into the middle of the pitch and [[Curl (football)|curl]] shots on goal with his left foot, rather than predominantly [[Cross (football)|cross]] balls for teammates.<ref name="FTMag"/> Under Guardiola and subsequent managers, he most often played in a [[Forward (association football)#False 9|false nine]] role; positioned as a [[Forward (association football)#Centre-forward|centre-forward]] or lone [[Forward (association football)#Striker|striker]], he would roam the centre, often moving deep into midfield and drawing defenders with him, in order to create and exploit spaces for passes, other teammates' attacking runs off the ball, Messi's own dribbling runs, or combinations with Xavi and Iniesta.<ref name="BoyGenius"/> Under the stewardship of Luis Enrique, Messi initially returned to playing in the right-sided position that characterised much of his early career in the manager's 4–3–3 formation,<ref name="Motivated"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/05/21/how-luis-suarez-moved-lionel-messi-onto-barcelona-wing-to-become/ |title=How Luis Suarez moved Lionel Messi onto Barcelona's wing and became the best centre-forward on the planet |newspaper=The Telegraph |first=Alistair |last=Tweedale |date=21 May 2016 |access-date=30 June 2018}}</ref> while he was increasingly deployed in a deeper, free playmaking role in later seasons.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=esp/news/newsid=2236364.html |title=In focus: Messi's changing role |publisher=UEFA |first=Richard |last=Martin |date=19 April 2015 |access-date=8 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="improvement">{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11833/11105832/barcelona8217s-improvement-under-ernesto-valverde-examined |title=Barcelona's improvement under Ernesto Valverde examined |publisher=Sky Sports |first1=Guillem |last1=Balague |first2=Nick |last2=Wright |first3=Adam |last3=Smith |date=30 October 2017 |access-date=30 June 2018}}</ref> Under manager [[Ernesto Valverde]], Messi played in a variety of roles. While he occasionally continued to be deployed in a deeper role, from which he could make runs from behind into the box,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.squawka.com/en/news/barcelona-top-scorer-lionel-messi-explains-how-has-role-has-developed-under-valverde/1019375#bEStu6B25LqTkjvv.97 |title=Barcelona top-scorer Lionel Messi explains how has role has developed under Valverde |work=Squawka |first=Cady |last=Siregar |date=7 March 2018 |access-date=13 August 2018}}</ref> or even on the right wing<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.squawka.com/en/news/dembele-is-going-nowhere-five-things-learned-from-barcelonas-super-cup-win-v-sevilla/1053044 |title=Dembele is going nowhere: Five things learned from Barcelona's Super Cup win v Sevilla |work=Squawka |first=Muhammad |last=Butt |date=12 August 2018 |access-date=13 August 2018}}</ref> or as a false nine,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2017/08/21/599a9d8de5fdeae2358b457b.html |title=Valverde returns Messi to the False 9 role |newspaper=Marca |date=21 August 2017 |access-date=13 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2017/09/11/59b650a3e2704e62408b4611.html |title=Valverde recycles Messi |newspaper=Marca |first=Sergi |last=Sanz |date=11 November 2017 |access-date=13 August 2018}}</ref> he was also used in a more offensive, central role in a 4–2–3–1,<ref name="improvement" /> or as a second striker in a 4–4–2 formation, where he was once again given the licence to drop deep, link-up with midfielders, orchestrate his teams attacking plays, and create chances for his attacking partner Suárez.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thescore.com/news/1461884 |title=3 ways Barcelona could line up with Coutinho |work=The Score |first=Michael J. |last=Chandler |date=6 January 2018 |access-date=30 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/dissected-how-the-new-barca-play-and-where-theres-hope-for-chelsea-rpwl0wbn5 |title=Dissected: How the new Barcelona play – and why there's hope for Chelsea |newspaper=The Times |first=Tom |last=Clarke |date=19 February 2018 |access-date=30 June 2018}}</ref>
[[File:Germany and Argentina face off in the final of the World Cup 2014 04 crop.jpg|thumb|right|Messi prepares to shoot with his dominant left foot in the [[2014 FIFA World Cup Final|final]] of the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]].|alt=]]
 
As his career advanced, and his tendency to dribble diminished slightly with age, Messi began to dictate play in [[Midfielder#Deep-lying playmaker|deeper areas of the pitch]] and developed into one of the best passers and playmakers in football history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thesportster.com/soccer/top-25-greatest-Tplaymakers-ever|title= Top 25 Greatest Playmakers Ever |work=the Sportster |access-date=22 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwos-100-greatest-footballers-ever-no2-lionel-messi |title=FourFourTwo's 100 Greatest Footballers EVER: No.2, Lionel Messi |work=FourFourTwo |first=Thore |last=Haugstad |date=28 July 2017 |access-date=30 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/la-liga/992349/lionel-messi-misses-out-worlds-best-playmaker-2018-second-real-madrid-star/ |title=Lionel Messi misses out on World's best Playmaker 2018 title, finishes second to Real Madrid star |work=Fox Sports Asia |first=Aditya |last=Rangarajan |date=6 December 2018 |access-date=30 April 2019}}</ref> His work-rate off the ball and defensive responsibilities also decreased as his career progressed; by covering less ground on the pitch, and instead conserving his energy for short bursts of speed, he was able to improve his efficiency, movement, and positional play, and was also able to avoid muscular injuries, despite often playing a large number of matches throughout a particular season on a consistent basis. Indeed, while he was injury-prone in his early career, he was later able to improve his injury record by running less off the ball, and by adopting a stricter diet, training regime, and sleep schedule.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2012/10/23/3468661/how-messi-went-from-injury-prone-teenager-to-bionic-man |title=How Messi went from injury-prone teenager to bionic man |publisher=Goal |last=Hayward |first=Ben |date=23 October 2012 |access-date=7 July 2019}}</ref> With the Argentina national team, Messi has similarly played anywhere along the frontline; under various managers, he has been employed on the right wing, as a false nine, as an out-and-out striker, in a supporting role alongside another forward, or in a deeper, free creative role as a classic number 10 playmaker or [[Midfielder#Attacking midfielder|attacking midfielder]] behind the strikers.<ref name="NewRole"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jun/18/argentina-copa-america-lionel-messi-tactics |title=Argentina's great tactical dilemma: where should Lionel Messi play? |newspaper=The Guardian |first=Martin |last=Mazur |date=18 June 2016 |access-date=4 July 2018}}</ref>
 
=== Reception ===
{{quote box|width=30%|align=right|quote="I have seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentinian football and his name is Messi."|source=– [[Diego Maradona]] hailing the 18-year-old Messi as his [[New Maradona|successor]] in February 2006<ref name="Maradona"/>}}A prodigious talent as a teenager, Messi established himself among the world's best players before age 20.<ref name="NotBest"/> Diego Maradona considered the 18-year-old Messi the best player in the world alongside [[Ronaldinho]], while the Brazilian himself, shortly after winning the [[Ballon d'Or]], commented, "I'm not even the best at Barça", in reference to his protégé.<ref>{{cite news |title=Maradona Hails Messi as Successor |work=BBC Sport |date=24 February 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/4746070.stm |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Phil |last=Ball |title=Britain v Spain (Sort Of) |publisher=ESPN FC |date=23 February 2006 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/359600 |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> Four years later, after Messi had won his first Ballon d'Or by a record margin,{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=519–524}} the public debate regarding his qualities as a player moved beyond his status in contemporary football to the possibility that he was one of the greatest players in history.<ref name="MagicFeet"/><ref name="MakingCase"/><ref>{{cite news |first=Phil |last=Minshull |title=Is Messi the Greatest Ever? |work=BBC Sport |date=30 March 2010 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philminshull/2010/03/is_messi_the_greatest_ever.html |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> An early proponent was his then-manager Pep Guardiola, who, as early as August 2009, declared Messi to be the best player he had ever seen.<ref>{{cite news |title=Messi Es el Mejor Jugador que Veré Jamás |trans-title=Messi Is the Best Player I Have Ever Seen |newspaper=El Mundo |language=es |date=29 August 2009 |url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/2009/08/29/futbol/1251499664.html |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> In the following years, this opinion gained greater acceptance among pundits, managers, former and current players,<ref name="Sublime"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi: Is the Barcelona and Argentina Star the Greatest Player Ever? |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=29 May 2011 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/lionel-messi/8545361/Lionel-Messi-is-the-Barcelona-and-Argentina-star-the-greatest-player-ever.html |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> and by the end of Barça's second treble-winning season, Messi's superiority, ahead of Maradona and [[Pelé]], had become the apparent view among many fans and pundits in continental Europe.<ref name="Telegraph 2016">{{cite news |agency=Agence France-Presse |title=Magical Messi Grabs Hat-trick in Copa America as Argentina Romp into Quarters |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=11 June 2016 |quote=Widely regarded as the best footballer of all time, Lionel Messi ... has sublime balance and is able to dribble past defenders with almost inhuman ease. |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/06/11/magical-messi-grabs-hat-trick-in-copa-america-as-argentina-romp/ |access-date=29 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Pete |last=Jenson |title=Lionel Messi: Is the Barcelona Forward the Greatest of Them All? |newspaper=The Independent |date=30 May 2015 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/lionel-messi-is-the-barcelona-forward-the-greatest-of-them-all-10287066.html |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> He initially received several dismissals by critics, based on the fact that he had not won an international trophy at senior level with Argentina,<ref>{{cite web |first=Dan |last=Cairns |title=How Does Lionel Messi Stack up against Football Legends? |publisher=BBC Newsbeat |date=8 January 2013 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/20943498/how-does-lionel-messi-stack-up-against-football-legends |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> until he won his first international trophy at the [[2021 Copa América]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi y el título de Argentina en la Copa América 2021: "Necesitaba sacarme la espina |work=ESPN Argentina |date=10 July 2021 |url=https://www.espn.com.ar/futbol/copa-america/nota/_/id/8894609/lionel-messi-leo-la-pulga-argentina-brasil-final-copa-america-2021-campeon-declaraciones |access-date=12 July 2021}}</ref>
 
{{multiple image
| align    = right
| direction = vertical
| header  =
| width    = 250
| image1    = Messi Maradona.jpg
| width1    =
| alt1      =
| caption1  = Argentina fans with Messi and Maradona banners at the [[2018 World Cup]] in Russia
| image2    = Maradona messi creacion adan.jpg
| width2    =
| alt2      =
| caption2  = ''The Sistine Chapel of Football'' painting (Messi to the left, Maradona to the right), on the ceiling of a sports club, Sportivo Pereyra, in [[Barracas, Buenos Aires]]
}}
Throughout his career, Messi has been compared with his late compatriot Diego Maradona, due to their similar playing styles as diminutive, left-footed dribblers. Initially, he was merely one of many young Argentine players, including his boyhood idol [[Pablo Aimar]], to receive the "[[New Maradona]]" moniker, but as his career progressed, Messi proved his similarity beyond all previous contenders, establishing himself as the greatest player Argentina had produced since Maradona.<ref name="Aimar"/>{{sfn|Lisi|2011|pp=533–539}} [[Jorge Valdano]], who won the [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986 World Cup]] alongside Maradona, said in October 2013, "Messi is Maradona every day. For the last five years, Messi has been the Maradona of the World Cup in Mexico."<ref>{{cite web |title=Valdano: 'Messi Es Maradona Todos Los Días' |trans-title=Valdano: 'Messi Is Maradona Every Day' |publisher=FIFA |language=es |date=7 October 2013 |url=http://es.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/219/194/9/index.html |access-date=17 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908015149/http://es.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/219/194/9/index.html |archive-date=8 September 2015}}</ref> [[César Menotti]], who as manager orchestrated their [[1978 FIFA World Cup|1978 World Cup]] victory, echoed this sentiment when he opined that Messi plays "at the level of the best Maradona".<ref>{{cite news |title=Menotti: 'Messi Está al Nivel del Mejor Maradona Que Vi' |trans-title=Menotti: 'Messi Is at the Level of the Best Maradona That I Saw' |newspaper=AS |language=es |date=10 January 2014 |url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2014/01/10/primera/1389359391_638487.html |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> Other notable Argentines in the sport, such as [[Osvaldo Ardiles]], [[Javier Zanetti]], and [[Diego Simeone]], have expressed their belief that Messi has overtaken Maradona as the best player in history.{{sfn|Hunter|2012|pp=7–8}}<ref>{{cite web |first=Dan |last=Brennan |title=Face to Face: Javier Zanetti |work=World Soccer |date=12 August 2013 |url=http://www.worldsoccer.com/features/face-to-face-javier-zanetti-341916 |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sin Dudas, Messi Es Mejor que Maradona |trans-title=Without Doubt, Messi Is Better than Maradona |newspaper=Clarín |date=31 December 2012 |language=es |url=http://www.clarin.com/deportes/dudas-Messi-mejor-Maradona_0_838716136.html |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref>
 
In Argentine society, Messi is generally held in lesser esteem than Maradona, a consequence of not only his perceived uneven performances with the national team, but also of differences in class, personality, and background. Messi is in some ways the antithesis of his predecessor: where Maradona was an extroverted, controversial character who rose to greatness from the slums, Messi is reserved and unassuming, an unremarkable man outside of football.<ref name="Burden"/><ref>{{cite news |first=Jeré |last=Longman |title=Adept? Yes. Adored? Not Yet. |newspaper=The New York Times |date=12 July 2014 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/13/sports/worldcup/world-cup-2014-in-argentina-lionel-messi-is-not-loved-as-much-as-diego-maradona.html |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Marcela |last=Mora y Araujo |title=Lionel Messi Is Not the New Maradona – He Can Be Better than That |newspaper=The Guardian |date=23 December 2009 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2009/dec/23/lionel-messi-diego-maradona-argentina-barcelona |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> An enduring mark against him is the fact that, through no fault of his own, he never proved himself in the [[Argentine Primera División]] as an upcoming player, achieving stardom overseas from a young age,<ref name="Here"/><ref name="Burden"/> while his lack of outward passion for the ''Albiceleste'' shirt (he does not sing the national anthem and is disinclined to emotional displays) have in the past led to the false perception that he felt Catalan rather than truly Argentine.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=414–420}} Despite having lived in Spain since age 13, Messi rejected the option of representing [[Spain national football team|Spain]] internationally. He has said: "Argentina is my country, my family, my way of expressing myself. I would change all my records to make the people in my country happy."<ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi Vomits Because of Nerves, Says Argentina's Alejandro Sabella |newspaper=The Guardian |date=10 June 2014 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/10/lionel-messi-vomits-argentina-alejandro-sabella-world-cup |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> Moreover, several pundits and footballing figures, including Maradona, have also questioned Messi's leadership with Argentina at times, despite his playing ability.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/argentina/story/2889220/diego-maradona-says-lionel-messi-lacks-leadership-to-carry-a-team?src=com |title=Diego Maradona: Lionel Messi lacks the leadership needed to carry a team |publisher=ESPN FC |date=9 June 2016 |access-date=1 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=John |last=Tilghman |title=Maradona vs. Messi: A Laughable Comparison |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/508097-maradona-vs-messi-a-laughable-comparison?search_query=John%20Tilghman |publisher=bleacherreport.com |access-date=1 May 2019 |date=4 November 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/46279184 |title=Lionel Messi: Is Barcelona forward really cut out for captaincy? |work=BBC Sport |first=Andy |last=West |date=22 November 2018 |access-date=1 May 2019}}</ref>
 
=== Comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo ===
{{Main|Messi–Ronaldo rivalry}}
 
[[File:Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi - Portugal vs Argentina, 9th February 2011.jpg|thumb|upright|Messi has been compared to [[Cristiano Ronaldo]] (left) throughout much of their careers.]]
 
Among his contemporary peers, Messi is most often compared and contrasted with Portuguese forward [[Cristiano Ronaldo]], as part of an [[Messi–Ronaldo rivalry|ongoing rivalry]] that has been compared to [[List of sports rivalries|past sports rivalries]] like the [[Muhammad Ali]]–[[Joe Frazier]] rivalry in boxing, the [[Roger Federer]]–[[Rafael Nadal]] [[Federer–Nadal rivalry|rivalry]] in tennis, and the [[Senna–Prost rivalry]] from Formula One motor racing.<ref>{{cite web |first=Graham |last=Hunter |title=The Game's Best Rivalry |publisher=ESPN FC |date=28 November 2010 |url=http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/5842703/el-clasico-all-ronaldo-vs-messi |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Messi v Ronaldo |publisher=Sky Sports |date=17 October 2011 |url=http://www.skysports.com/news/21227/7235124/messi-v-ronaldo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006105413/http://www.skysports.com/news/21227/7235124/messi-v-ronaldo |archive-date=6 October 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
Although Messi has at times denied any rivalry,<ref>{{cite news |title=Barcelona's Lionel Messi Blames Media for Inventing Rivalry with Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=15 August 2012 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/9478241/Barcelonas-Lionel-Messi-blames-media-for-inventing-rivalry-with-Real-Madrids-Cristiano-Ronaldo.html |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Ben |last=Snowball |title=Lionel Messi: Cristiano Ronaldo Is Not My Rival |publisher=Eurosport |date=11 June 2015 |url=http://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-is-not-my-rival_sto4779011/story.shtml |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> they are widely believed to push one another in their aim to be the best player in the world:<ref name="Overtaken"/> since 2008, Messi has won six Ballons d'Or to Ronaldo's five,<ref>{{cite news |title=Ballons d'Or winners list |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/12/07/ballon-dor-winners-list/ |work=The Telegraph |date=2 April 2017}}</ref> six FIFA World's Best Player awards to Ronaldo's five, and six [[European Golden Shoe]]s to Ronaldo's four.<ref>{{cite web |first1=Sorin |last1=Arotaritei |first2=Roberto |last2=Di Maggio |first3=Karel |last3=Stokkermans |title=Golden Boot (Soulier d'Or) Awards |publisher=RSSSF |url=http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/gboot.html |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> Pundits and fans regularly argue the individual merits of both players;<ref name="Overtaken"/><ref>{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Mendes |title=World Cup 2014: Cristiano Ronaldo's Personal Duel with Lionel Messi Is Affecting His Performances for Portugal |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=24 June 2014 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/cristiano-ronaldo/10923614/World-Cup-2014-Cristiano-Ronaldos-personal-duel-with-Lionel-Messi-is-affecting-his-performances-for-Portugal.html |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> beyond their playing styles, the debate also revolves around their differing physiques – Ronaldo is {{height|m=1.87}} with a muscular build – and contrasting public personalities, with Ronaldo's self-confidence and theatrics a foil to Messi's humility.<ref>{{cite news |first=Rob |last=Hughes |title=Ronaldo May Look Like the Best, but There Is Someone Better |newspaper=The New York Times |date=13 September 2011 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/14/sports/soccer/14iht-soccer14.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1 |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first1=Pedro |last1=Pinto |first2=James |last2=Montague |title=Cristiano Ronaldo: I'm Better than Messi |publisher=CNN |date=29 May 2012 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/17/sport/football/football-champions-league-ronaldo-interview/ |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Tim |last=Lewis |title=Cristiano Ronaldo: He's Got a God-Given Talent – and He Knows It |newspaper=The Guardian |date=24 November 2013 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2013/nov/24/cristiano-ronaldo-real-madrid-portugal-football |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> From 2009–10 to 2017–18, Messi faced Ronaldo at least twice every season in ''[[El Clásico]]'', which ranks among the world's most viewed annual sports events.<ref name="50million" /> Off the pitch, Ronaldo is his direct competitor in terms of salary, sponsorships, and social media fanbase.<ref name="50million">{{cite web |first=Kurt |last=Badenhausen |title=Lionel Messi Reaches $50 Million-A-Year Deal With Barcelona |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2014/05/16/lionel-messi-agrees-to-new-50-million-a-year-deal-with-barcelona/ |work=Forbes |date=16 May 2014 |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref>
 
== In popular culture ==
 
According to ''[[France Football]]'', Messi was the world's highest-paid footballer for five years out of six between 2009 and 2014; he was the first player to exceed the €40&nbsp;million benchmark, with earnings of €41&nbsp;million in 2013, and the €50–€60&nbsp;million points, with income of €65&nbsp;million in 2014.<ref name="Payroll"/><ref>{{cite web |first=Jamie |last=Rainbow |title=Stat of the Day: Top 20 Best Paid Players and Coaches |work=World Soccer |date=18 March 2014 |url=http://www.worldsoccer.com/news/stat-day-top-20-best-paid-players-coaches-350260 |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref> Messi was second on ''[[Forbes]]'' list of the world's highest-paid athletes (after Cristiano Ronaldo) with income of $81.4&nbsp;million from his salary and endorsements in 2015–16.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cristiano Ronaldo first footballer to top Forbes rich list of highest-earning athletes |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10307782/cristiano-ronaldo-first-footballer-to-top-forbes-rich-list-of-highest-earning-athletes |publisher=Sky Sports |date=8 June 2016 |first=Ben |last=Reynolds |access-date=9 June 2016}}</ref> In 2018 he was the first player to exceed the €100m benchmark for a calendar year, with earnings of €126m ($154m) in combined income from salaries, bonuses and endorsements.<ref>[https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Lionel-messi-devance-largement-cristiano-ronaldo-au-classement-des-joueurs-les-mieux-payes-au-monde/895372 "Lionel Messi devance largement Cristiano Ronaldo au classement des joueurs les mieux payés au monde"]. ''France Football''. Retrieved 4 June 2018</ref> ''Forbes'' ranked him the [[Forbes' list of the world's highest-paid athletes|world's highest-paid athlete]] in 2019.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi edges out Cristiano Ronaldo to head Forbes top 100 highest paid athletes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/48602166 |access-date=12 June 2019 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> Since 2008, he has been Barcelona's highest-paid player, receiving a salary that increased incrementally from €7.8&nbsp;million to €13&nbsp;million over the next five years.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|p=472}}<ref name="Reluctant"/>{{sfn|Balagué|2013|p=556}} Signing a new Barcelona contract in 2017, he earns $667,000 per week in wages, and Barcelona also paid him $59.6&nbsp;million as a signing on bonus.<ref name="Forbes 2017">[https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinasettimi/2017/11/25/lionel-messi-signs-new-barcelona-contract-set-to-become-worlds-highest-paid-footballer/ "Lionel Messi Signs New Barcelona Contract, Set To Become World's Highest-Paid Footballer"]. Forbes. Retrieved 17 December 2017</ref> His buyout clause is set at $835&nbsp;million (€700&nbsp;million).<ref name="Forbes 2017" /> In 2020, Messi became the second footballer (and second athlete in a team sport), after Cristiano Ronaldo, to surpass $1 billion in earnings during their careers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinasettimi/2020/09/14/the-worlds-highest-paid-soccer-players-2020-messi-wins-mbappe-rises/#7601f0671cff|title= World's Highest-Paid Soccer Players: Messi Wins, Mbappe Rises|work=Forbes|access-date=22 September 2020}}</ref>
 
[[File:What a Messi - panoramio.jpg|thumb|right|240px|Billboard of Messi in [[Taipei]], Taiwan]]
In addition to his salary and bonuses, much of his income derives from endorsements; ''[[SportsPro]]'' has consequently cited him as one of the world's most marketable athletes every year since their research began in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |first=Michael |last=Long |title=The World's 50 Most Marketable 2015 |work=SportsPro |date=20 May 2015 |url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/most_marketable |access-date=22 August 2015 |archive-date=10 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610032555/http://www.sportspromedia.com/most_marketable |url-status=dead}}</ref> His main sponsor since 2006 is the sportswear company [[Adidas]]. As Barcelona's leading youth prospect, he had been signed with [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] since age 14, but transferred to Adidas after they successfully challenged their rival's claim to his image rights in court.{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=94–97}} Over time, Messi established himself as their leading brand endorser;<ref name="50million" /> from 2008, he had a long-running signature collection of Adidas F50 boots, and in 2015, he became the first footballer to receive his own sub-brand of Adidas boots, the Adidas Messi.<ref>{{cite web |title=Retrospect: Adidas F50 Messi Collection |publisher=Soccer Bible |date=18 March 2015 |url=http://www.soccerbible.com/performance/football-boots/2015/03/retrospect-adidas-f50-messi-collection/ |access-date=11 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=Backed by Messi |publisher=Adidas |date=25 September 2015 |url=http://news.adidas.com/GB/Latest-News/Backed-by-Messi/s/1aafb738-30fe-4810-a7e4-6b808c0e6353 |access-date=11 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222143641/http://news.adidas.com/GB/Latest-News/Backed-by-Messi/s/1aafb738-30fe-4810-a7e4-6b808c0e6353 |archive-date=22 December 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Since 2017, he has worn the latest version of the Adidas Nemeziz.<ref>{{cite news |title=adidas Football Launches Nemeziz 17+ 360 Agility |url=https://www.soccerbible.com/performance/football-boots/2017/05/adidas-football-launches-nemeziz/ |access-date=12 July 2019 |work=Soccer Bible}}</ref> In 2015, a Barcelona jersey with Messi's name and number was the best-selling replica jersey worldwide.<ref>{{cite news |title=Leo Messi's Barcelona Shirt Is the Most Sold Worldwide, Cristiano Ronaldo 2nd |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2609501-leo-messis-barcelona-shirt-is-the-most-sold-worldwide-cristiano-ronaldo-2nd |access-date=4 January 2019 |work=Bleacher Report}}</ref>
 
[[File:ECUADOR VS ARGENTINA (36956136633).jpg|thumb|left|After [[Sign of the cross#Use|blessing himself]], Messi often [[Goal celebration|celebrates a goal]] by pointing a finger on each hand towards [[heaven|the sky]] in dedication to his late grandmother.<ref name="Dedication">{{cite news |last=Matchett |first=Karl |title=The Story Behind Lionel Messi's 5 Most Iconic Barcelona Celebrations |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2705366-the-story-behind-lionel-messis-5-most-iconic-barcelona-celebrations |work=Bleacher Report |date=25 April 2017|access-date=18 December 2017}}</ref> His goal celebration features in the [[FIFA (video game series)|''FIFA'' video game series]], first appearing in ''[[FIFA 14]].'']]
As a commercial entity, Messi's marketing brand has been based exclusively on his talents and achievements as a player, in contrast to arguably more glamorous players like Cristiano Ronaldo and [[David Beckham]]. At the start of his career, he thus mainly held sponsorship contracts with companies that employ sports-oriented marketing, such as Adidas, [[Pepsi]], and [[Konami]].<ref name="Fourth">{{cite web |title=The World's Fourth Most Marketable Athlete – Lionel Messi |work=SportsPro |date=27 May 2011 |url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/notes_and_insights/the_worlds_4th_most_marketable_athlete_-_lionel_messi |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Kurt |last=Badenhausen |title=Lionel Messi Voted Soccer's Best, But Sponsors Stay Away |work=Forbes |date=10 January 2011 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2011/01/10/lionel-messi-voted-soccers-best-but-sponsors-stay-away/ |access-date=11 December 2015}}</ref> From 2010 onwards, concurrently with his increased achievements as a player, his marketing appeal widened, leading to long-term endorsement deals with luxury brands [[Dolce & Gabbana]] and [[Audemars Piguet]].<ref name="Fourth"/><ref>{{cite press release |title=Lionel Messi and Dolce & Gabbana: An Assist in Style |publisher=Dolce & Gabbana |url=http://www.dolcegabbana.com/binaries/content/assets/DG/leo-messi/press-release/dolce-and-gabbana-leo-messi-press-release-eng.pdf |access-date=22 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827002248/http://www.dolcegabbana.com/binaries/content/assets/DG/leo-messi/press-release/dolce-and-gabbana-leo-messi-press-release-eng.pdf |archive-date=27 August 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Messi is also a global brand ambassador for [[Gillette (brand)|Gillette]], [[Turkish Airlines]], [[Ooredoo]], and [[Tata Motors]], among other companies.<ref>{{cite web |first=Oliver |last=Millerchip |title=Messi to Front New Gillette Campaign |work=SportsPro |date=3 February 2014 |url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/messi_to_front_new_gillette_campaign |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=Argentine Soccer Star Leo Messi Named Global Brand Ambassador for Turkish Airlines |work=Reuters |date=6 December 2012 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/06/idUS192613+06-Dec-2012+BW20121206 |access-date=22 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924172433/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/06/idUS192613+06-Dec-2012+BW20121206 |archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Ian |last=McPherson |title=Messi Cashes in with Qatari Contract |work=SportsPro |date=28 February 2013 |url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/messi_cashes_in_with_qatari_contract |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi Is Global Brand Ambassador for Tata Motors |work=Firstpost |date=3 November 2015 |url=http://www.firstpost.com/business/tata-motors-ropes-in-lionel-messi-as-global-brand-ambassador-2492172.htmlv |access-date=18 November 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015131146/https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/the-best-sports-photo-of-the-year-goes-to---lionel-messi-and--the-final-game--183718601.html |archive-date=15 October 2015}}</ref> Additionally, Messi was the face of Konami's video game series ''[[Pro Evolution Soccer]]'', appearing on the covers of ''[[PES 2009]]'', ''[[PES 2010]],'' ''[[PES 2011]]'' and ''[[PES 2020]]''. He subsequently signed with rival company [[EA Sports]] to become the face of their series ''[[FIFA (video game series)|FIFA]]'' and has since appeared on four consecutive covers from ''[[FIFA 13]]'' to ''[[FIFA 16]]''.{{sfn|Guinness World Records|2014|p=102}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi to Star on Cover of EA Sports FIFA for Fourth Straight Year |work=Sports Illustrated |date=15 June 2015 |url=https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2015/06/15/lionel-messi-fifa-16-cover# |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref>
 
Messi's global popularity and influence are well documented. He was among the [[Time 100|''Time'' 100]], an annual list of the world's most influential people as published by ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'', in 2011 and 2012.<ref>{{cite web |first=Thierry |last=Henry |title=The 2011 Time 100: Lionel Messi, God of the Field |work=Time |date=21 April 2011 |url=http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2066367_2066369_2066498,00.html |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Mia |last=Hamm |title=The World's 100 Most Influential People 2012: Lionel Messi |work=Time |date=18 April 2012 |url=http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2111975_2111976_2112092,00.html |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref> His fanbase on the social media website Facebook is among the largest of all public figures: within seven hours of its launch in April 2011, Messi's Facebook page had nearly seven&nbsp;million followers, and by August 2021 he had [[List of most-followed Facebook pages|over 103&nbsp;million followers]], the second highest for a sportsperson after Cristiano Ronaldo.<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Joins Facebook, Nets 7&nbsp;m Followers |publisher=ESPN |date=6 April 2011 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/903705/lionel-messi-joins-facebook-nets-7m-followers |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Karissa |last=Giuliano |title=The 10 Most Popular Celebrities on Facebook |publisher=CNBC |date=9 June 2015 |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2015/06/09/the-10-most-popular-celebrities-on-facebook.html |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref> He also has [[List of most-followed Instagram accounts|over 245 million Instagram followers]], the second highest for a sportsperson after Cristiano Ronaldo.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://socialblade.com/instagram/top/100/followers |title=Top 100 Instagram Users by Followers- Socialblade Instagram Stats – Instagram Statistics |work=Socialblade |access-date=6 September 2019}}</ref> According to a 2014 survey by sports research firm Repucom in 15 international markets, Messi was familiar to 87% of respondents around the world, of whom 78% perceived him favourably, making him the second-most recognised player globally, behind Ronaldo, and the most likable of all contemporary players.<ref>{{cite web |first=Chris |last=Borg |title=Ballon D'Or: Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo – Battle of the Brands |publisher=CNN |date=2 December 2014 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/12/01/sport/football/lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-barcelona-real-madrid-ballon-dor-marketing-merchandise-facebook/ |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=Top 10 Most Marketable Footballers in the World |publisher=Repucom |date=28 May 2014 |url=http://repucom.net/wp-content/uploads/Top-10-Most-Marketable-Football-Players.pdf |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref> On Messi's economic impact on the city in which he plays, [[Terry Gibson]] called him a "tourist attraction".<ref>{{cite news |title=Gibson: Messi is a tourist attraction |url=https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/12377402/gibson-messi-is-a-tourist-attraction |access-date=10 August 2021 |agency=Sky Sports}}</ref>
 
[[File:Messi car.jpg|thumb|[[Truck art in South Asia#Cars|Indian vehicle art]] in Barcelona colors]]
Other events have illustrated Messi's presence in popular culture. A solid gold replica of his left foot, weighing {{convert|25|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and valued at $5.25&nbsp;million, went on sale in Japan in March 2013 to raise funds for victims of the [[2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi's Left Foot – Yours for $5.25 Million |publisher=CNN |date=6 March 2013 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/06/sport/football/football-leo-messi-golden-foot/ |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref> A 2013 Turkish Airlines advertisement starring Messi, in which he engages in a [[selfie]] competition with then-[[Los Angeles Lakers]] star [[Kobe Bryant]], was the most-watched ad on YouTube in the year of its release, receiving 137&nbsp;million views, and was subsequently voted the best advertisement of the 2005–15 decade to commemorate YouTube's founding.<ref>{{cite news |first=Kaitlyn |last=Krasselt |title=Cannes to Cannes: YouTube's Most Viewed Ads |work=USA Today |date=21 June 2014 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/06/21/cannes-youtube-top-ads/10891397/ |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Laura |last=Lorenzetti |title=YouTube Users Say This Is the 'Ad of the Decade' |work=Time |date=3 June 2015 |url=http://time.com/3908087/youtube-ad-of-the-decade/ |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref> [[World Press Photo]] selected "The Final Game", a photograph of Messi facing the [[FIFA World Cup Trophy|World Cup trophy]] after Argentina's final defeat to Germany, as the best sports image of 2014.<ref>{{cite web |title=World Cup final photo of Lionel Messi eyeing trophy wins prize |work=ESPN |date=12 February 2015 |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/league-name/story/2295953/headline |access-date=11 August 2021}}</ref> ''[[Messi (2014 film)|Messi]]'', a documentary about his life by filmmaker [[Álex de la Iglesia]], premiered at the [[Venice Film Festival]] in August 2014.<ref>{{cite web |first=Andrew |last=Barker |title=Venice Film Review: 'Messi' |work=Variety |date=27 August 2014 |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/festivals/venice-film-review-messi-1201292498/ |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref>
 
In June 2021, Messi signed a five year deal to become an ambassador for the [[Hard Rock Cafe]] brand. He stated, "sports and music are an integral part of my life. It is an honor to be the first athlete to partner with a brand who has a history of teaming with music legends."<ref>[https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hard-rock-international-begins-year-long-50th-anniversary-celebration-by-announcing-partnership-with-lionel-messi-301310207.html “Hard Rock International Begins Year-Long 50th Anniversary Celebration By Announcing Partnership With Lionel Messi”]. PR Newswire. Retrieved 11 June 2021</ref>


In the mid-year 2022 Messi and the amazing Argentina team along with Lionel Scaloni beat Italy 3-0 and won the Finalissma trophy.
== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
=== Family and relationships ===
Since 2008, Messi has been in a relationship with Antonela Roccuzzo, a fellow native of [[Rosario, Santa Fe|Rosario]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://usahint.com/sports/lionel-messis-wife-absence-world-cup-759/ |title=Lionel Messi's wife explains her absence at World Cup opener that left him broken hearted |work=USAHint |date=21 June 2018 |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=1 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701061408/http://usahint.com/sports/lionel-messis-wife-absence-world-cup-759/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> He has known Roccuzzo since he was five years old, as she is the cousin of his childhood best friend, [[Lucas Scaglia]], who is also a football player.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-40454654 |title=Argentina hosts Lionel Messi's 'wedding of the century' |access-date=1 July 2017 |work=BBC News}}</ref> After keeping their relationship private for a year, Messi first confirmed their romance in an interview in January 2009, before going public a month later during a carnival in [[Sitges]] after the Barcelona–Espanyol derby.
{{quote box|width=30%|align=right|quote="Leo is not shy. He's introverted. He's reserved."|source={{mdash}} Endocrinologist Dr. Diego Schwarzstein,{{refn|group=note|According to [[Bleacher Report]]'s Richard Fitzpatrick, "Schwarzstein and Messi built up a close relationship during more than four years of treatment."<ref name=BR>{{cite news |title=The Machine of '87: Messi's Boyhood Teammates Recall Early Signs of Greatness |work=Bleacher Report |date=23 June 2017 |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2717227-the-machine-of-87-messis-boyhood-teammates-recall-early-signs-of-greatness |access-date=25 June 2017 |last=Fitzpatrick |first=Richard}}</ref>}} who addressed Messi's growth hormone deficiency from 1997 to 2001.}}
Messi and Roccuzzo have three sons: Thiago (born 2012), Mateo (born 2015) and Ciro (born 2018). To celebrate his partner's first pregnancy, Messi placed the ball under his shirt after scoring in Argentina's 4–0 win against Ecuador on 2 June 2012, before confirming the pregnancy in an interview two weeks later.<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Shares Baby Joy |publisher=beIN Sports |date=17 June 2012 |url=http://www.beinsports.tv/news/title/messi-shares-baby-joy/article/3my803vek9sw1ky0beeucau3b |archive-url=http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:-lZWZO2a5XMJ:www.beinsports.tv/news/title/messi-shares-baby-joy/article/3my803vek9sw1ky0beeucau3b&hl=en&gl=nl&strip=1&vwsrc=0 |archive-date=19 August 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Thiago was born in Barcelona on 2 November 2012, with Messi attending the birth after being given permission by Barcelona to miss training. He announced his son's arrival on his Facebook page, writing, "Today I am the happiest man in the world, my son was born and thanks to God for this gift!"<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Junior Named Thiago |publisher=ESPN FC |date=2 November 2012 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/1211817/messi-becomes-a-father-son-named-thiago |access-date=25 August 2015}}</ref> Thiago's name and handprints are tattooed on his left calf.{{sfn|Caioli|2015|loc=ch. 38}} In April 2015, Messi confirmed on Facebook that they were expecting another child.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi's Wife Expecting Second Child, Barcelona Star Says |publisher=ESPN FC |date=30 April 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/barcelona/story/2426028/lionel-messis-wife-expecting-second-child-barca-star-says |access-date=25 August 2015}}</ref> He missed training ahead of a match against Atlético Madrid to attend the birth of his second son, Mateo, on 11 September 2015 in Barcelona.<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi's Brother Confirms Birth of Barcelona Star's Second Child |work=FourFourTwo |date=11 September 2015 |url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/messis-brother-confirms-birth-barcelona-stars-second-child |access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref> On 30 June 2017, he married Roccuzzo at a luxury hotel named Hotel City Center in Rosario with about 260 guests attending his wedding.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.independent.ie/style/weddings/lionel-messi-marries-stunning-childhood-sweetheart-antonella-roccuzzo-in-argentine-home-town-35883938.html |title=Lionel Messi marries stunning childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo in Argentine home town |access-date=1 July 2017 |newspaper=Irish Independent}}</ref> On 15 October 2017, his wife announced they were expecting their third child in an [[Instagram]] post.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.espnfc.com/blog/the-toe-poke/65/post/3230393/lionel-messi-and-wife-antonella-roccuzzo-expecting-their-third-child |title=Lionel Messi and wife Antonella Roccuzzo expecting their third child |publisher=ESPN FC |date=15 October 2017|access-date=16 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/lionel-messi-makes-hat-trick-11346670 |title=Lionel Messi and wife Antonella Roccuzzo have big news |last=Smith |first=Alex |date=15 October 2017 |work=The Mirror|access-date=15 October 2017}}</ref> On 10 March 2018, Messi skipped the match against Málaga after Ciro was born.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/messi-announces-arrival-of-third-child-after-withdrawing/6lclw0po6hsg1jjbc5ckl603l |title=Barcelona news: Lionel Messi announces arrival of third child after withdrawing from squad to face Malaga |access-date=10 March 2018}}</ref>
Messi enjoys a close relationship with his immediate family members, particularly his mother, Celia, whose face he has tattooed on his left shoulder. His professional affairs are largely run as a family business: his father, Jorge, has been his agent since he was 14, and his oldest brother, Rodrigo, handles his daily schedule and publicity. His mother and other brother, Matías, manage his charitable organization, the Leo Messi Foundation, and take care of personal and professional matters in Rosario.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=31, 143, 570}}


Since leaving for Spain at age 13, Messi has maintained close ties to his hometown of Rosario, even preserving his distinct Rosarino accent. He has kept ownership of his family's old house, although it has long stood empty; he maintains a penthouse apartment in an exclusive residential building for his mother, as well as a family compound just outside the city. Once when he was in training with the national team in Buenos Aires, he made a three-hour trip by car to Rosario immediately after practice to have dinner with his family, spent the night with them, and returned to Buenos Aires the next day in time for practice. Messi keeps in daily contact via phone and text with a small group of confidants in Rosario, most of whom were fellow members of "The Machine of '87" at Newell's Old Boys. He currently lives in [[Castelldefels]], a village near Barcelona. Although considered a [[List of one-club men in association football|one-club man]], he has long planned to return to Rosario to end his playing career at Newell's. He was on bad terms with the club after his transfer to Barcelona, but by 2012 their public feud had ended, with Newell's embracing their ties with Messi, even issuing a club membership card to his newborn son.<ref name="Here"/>{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=576–577}}<ref>{{cite web |first=Chris |last=Wright |title=After Just 72 Hours on the Planet, Thiago Messi Signs for Newell's Old Boys |publisher=ESPN FC |date=5 November 2012 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/blog/the-toe-poke/65/post/1850358/after-just-72-hours-on-the-planet-thiago-messi-signs-for-newells-old-boys |access-date=25 August 2015}}</ref>
=== Relationships ===
Messi has three children with his wife Antonella Roccuzzo. They are named Thiago Messi, Mateo Messi and Ciro Messi. Thiago was born on 2 November 2012, Mateo was born on 11 September 2015 and Ciro was born on 10 March 2018. On the bottom of Messi's cleats is the name of his first son, Thiago.


=== Philanthropy ===
Messi and Antonella married in June 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/07/lionel-messi-wedding-childhood-sweetheart-antonela-roccuzzo-argentina-barcelona|title=Lionel Messi married his childhood sweetheart, and the photos are stunning|date=2017-07-01|work=For The Win|access-date=2018-03-30|language=en-US}}</ref>
Throughout his career, Messi has been involved in charitable efforts aimed at vulnerable children, a commitment that stems in part from the medical difficulties he faced in his own childhood. Since 2004, he has contributed his time and finances to the [[UNICEF|United Nations Children's Fund]] (UNICEF), an organisation with which Barcelona also have a strong association.<ref name="Leo Messi: Goodwill Ambassador">{{cite web |title=Leo Messi: Goodwill Ambassador |publisher=UNICEF |date=25 May 2012 |url=http://www.unicef.org/people/people_52964.html |access-date=25 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first1=Iain |last1=Rogers |first2=Justin |last2=Palmer |title=Barcelona Extend UNICEF Shirt Deal to 2016 |work=Reuters |date=12 November 2013 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-soccer-spain-barcelona-unicef-idUSBRE9AB0NZ20131112 |access-date=25 August 2015 |archive-date=24 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124194912/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/12/us-soccer-spain-barcelona-unicef-idUSBRE9AB0NZ20131112 |url-status=live}}</ref> Messi has served as a [[List of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors|UNICEF goodwill ambassador]] since his appointment in March 2010, completing his first field mission for the organisation four months later as he travelled to Haiti to bring public awareness to the plight of the country's children in the wake of the [[2010 Haiti earthquake|recent earthquake]]. He has since participated in UNICEF campaigns targeting HIV prevention, education, and the social inclusion of disabled children.<ref>{{cite web|date=14 May 2015|title=Leo Messi Activity Highlights|url=http://www.unicef.org/people/people_52965.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907144838/https://www.unicef.org/people/people_52965.html|archive-date=7 September 2018|access-date=30 July 2021|publisher=UNICEF}}</ref> To celebrate his son's first birthday, in November 2013, Messi and Thiago were part of a publicity campaign to raise awareness of mortality rates among disadvantaged children.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Leo Messi's Son Turns One and Celebrates with UNICEF|publisher=UNICEF|date=28 October 2013|url=http://www.unicef.org/media/media_70751.html|access-date=30 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810091152/https://www.unicef.org/media/media_70751.html|archive-date=10 August 2014}}</ref>


[[File:Lionel Messi 31mar2007.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Messi (pictured in 2007) has worked with UNICEF since 2004 and has served as a [[List of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors|UNICEF goodwill ambassador]] since 2010.]]
=== Charity ===
In addition to his work with UNICEF, Messi founded his own charitable organisation, the Leo Messi Foundation, which supports access to health care, education, and sport for children.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi Fast Facts |publisher=CNN |date=25 June 2015 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/08/world/europe/lionel-messi-fast-facts/ |access-date=25 August 2015}}</ref> It was established in 2007 following a visit Messi paid to a hospital for terminally ill children in Boston, an experience that resonated with him to the point that he decided to reinvest part of his earnings into society.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=576–577}} Through his foundation, Messi has awarded research grants, financed medical training, and invested in the development of medical centres and projects in Argentina, Spain, and elsewhere in the world.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=576–577}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Ooredoo, Messi Foundation Continue Expansion: Three New Mobile Health Clinics Launched in Algeria |newspaper=Arab Times |date=3 August 2015 |url=http://www.arabtimesonline.com/ooredoo-messi-foundation-continue-expansion/ |access-date=25 August 2015}}</ref> In addition to his own fundraising activities, such as his global "Messi and Friends" football matches, his foundation receives financial support from various companies to which he has assigned his name in endorsement agreements, with Adidas as their main sponsor.<ref>{{cite web |title='Lionel Messi and Friends' Soccer Tour Is One of Many Causes Argentine Superstar Supports |publisher=New England Sports Network |date=22 June 2012 |url=http://nesn.com/2012/06/lionel-messi-and-friends-soccer-tour-is-one-of-many-causes-argentine-superstar-supports/ |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Partners |publisher=Leo Messi Foundation |url=http://www.fundacionleomessi.org/nuestros-partners/ |access-date=25 August 2015 |archive-date=18 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318214259/http://www.fundacionleomessi.org/nuestros-partners/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>
When not playing on the field, Messi finds time to do charity work. He started the Leo Messi Foundation in 2007 which helps children in at-risk situations. Messi also opened a kids park for children living in a hospital in [[Barcelona]]. He also donated 1 million euros for the Covid-19 virus in Barcelona.


Messi has also invested in youth football in Argentina: he financially supports Sarmiento, a football club based in the Rosario neighbourhood where he was born, committing in 2013 to the refurbishment of their facilities and the installation of all-weather pitches, and funds the management of several youth players at Newell's Old Boys and rival club [[Rosario Central]], as well as at [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]] and [[Boca Juniors]] in Buenos Aires.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=576–577}} At Newell's Old Boys, his boyhood club, he funded the 2012 construction of a new gymnasium and a dormitory inside the club's [[Estadio Marcelo Bielsa|stadium]] for their youth academy. His former youth coach at Newell's, Ernesto Vecchio, is employed by the Leo Messi Foundation as a talent scout for young players.<ref name="Here"/> On 7 June 2016, Messi won a libel case against [[La Razón (Madrid)|''La Razón'' newspaper]] and was awarded €65,000 in damages, which he donated to the charity [[Médecins Sans Frontières]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/story/2887818/argentinas-lionel-messi-wins-libel-case-and-donates-damages-to-charity |title=Argentina's Lionel Messi wins libel case, donates damages to charity |publisher=ESPN FC |date=7 June 2016}}</ref> Messi made a donation worth €1&nbsp;million ($1.1&nbsp;million) to fight the [[COVID-19 pandemic|spread of coronavirus]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Messi, Guardiola donate $1.08 million each to coronavirus battle |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-soccer-spain/messi-guardiola-donate-1-08-million-each-to-coronavirus-battle-idUSKBN21B3HV |work=Reuters |date=25 March 2020}}</ref> This was split between Clinic Barcelona hospital in [[Barcelona, Spain]] and his native Argentina.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wfsb.com/cristiano-ronaldo-and-lionel-messi-donate-to-hospitals-in-fight-against-coronavirus/article_1c669479-5ee2-5bb5-8ebd-77b9af3f36e2.html|title=Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi donate to hospitals in fight against coronavirus|first=Matias |last=Grez|work=WFSB|access-date=8 April 2020}}</ref> In addition to this, Messi along with his fellow [[FC Barcelona]] teammates announced he will be taking a 70% cut in salaries during the [[COVID-19 pandemic|2020 coronavirus emergency]], and contribute further to the club to provide fully to salaries of all the clubs employees.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinasettimi/2020/03/30/lionel-messis-coronavirus-wage-cut-could-cost-him-50-million/|title=Lionel Messi's Coronavirus Wage Cut Could Cost Him $50 Million|first=Christina|last=Settimi|work=Forbes|access-date=8 April 2020}}</ref>
=== Tax Issues ===
In July 2016 he was convicted of tax fraud and sentenced to spend 21 months in prison. Messi was also fined two million Euros.<ref name="bbc">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36721892|title=Lionel Messi handed jail terms in Spain for tax frauds|date=6 July 2016|website=BBC News}}</ref> Messi never went to prison, and the problem was be solved with [[probation]]. He told the court he "only played football" and didn't know anything because he left his money problems to be dealt with by his father, Jorge Messi.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36433061|title='I knew nothing', Messi tells court|date=2016-06-02|work=BBC News|access-date=2020-06-26|language=en-GB}}</ref>


In November 2016, with the [[Argentine Football Association]] being run by a FIFA committee for emergency due to an economic crisis, it was reported that three of the national team's security staff told Messi that they had not received their salaries for six months. He stepped in and paid the salaries of the three members.<ref>{{cite news |title=Argentina federation to have affairs managed by emergency FIFA panel |newspaper=ESPN FC |date=24 June 2016 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/blog/fifa/243/post/2901179/argentina-federation-to-have-affairs-managed-by-emergency-fifa-panel}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Messi paid the salaries of Argentina's security team |newspaper=Marca |location=Spain |date=18 November 2016 |url=http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2016/11/18/582f53b822601d46758b4610.html}}</ref> In February 2021, Messi donated his Adidas shoes to the [[Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya]] which he wore when he scored his 644th goal for Barcelona and broke Pelé's record for most goals scored for a single club, the shoes were later auctioned off in April by the museum for charity to help children with cancer and were sold for £125,000.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sport|date=12 February 2021|title=Adidas and Messi donate boots to Art Museum to be auctioned in April|url=https://www.sport.es/en/news/barca/adidas-and-messi-donate-boots-to-art-museum-to-be-auctioned-in-april-11514617|access-date=13 February 2021|work=Sport}}</ref>
== Club career statistics ==
 
{{updated|23 June 2020}}
In advance of the [[2021 Copa América]] in Uruguay, Messi donated three signed shirts to the Chinese pharmaceutical firm [[Sinovac Biotech]]—whose directors spoke of their admiration for Messi—in order to secure 50,000 doses of Sinovac's [[COVID-19 vaccine]], [[CoronaVac]], in the hope of vaccinating all of South America's football players.<ref name="Vac"/> A deal brokered by Uruguay's president [[Luis Lacalle Pou]], the plan to prioritise football players caused some controversy given widespread vaccine scarcity in the region, with the Mayor of [[Canelones, Uruguay|Canelones]] in Uruguay remarking that "Just as the president manifested cooperation with [[CONMEBOL]] to vaccinate for the Copa América, he could just as well have the same consideration for Canelones".<ref name="Vac">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/14/lionel-messi-helps-obtain-50000-covid-vaccines-for-south-american-players|title=Lionel Messi helps obtain 50,000 Covid vaccines for South American players|first=Goni|last=Uki|work=The Guardian|date=14 April 2021|access-date=16 April 2021}}</ref>
 
=== Tax fraud ===
Messi's financial affairs came under investigation in 2013 for suspected [[tax evasion]]. Offshore companies in [[tax haven]]s Uruguay and Belize were used to evade €4.1&nbsp;million in taxes related to sponsorship earnings between 2007 and 2009. An unrelated [[shell company]] in Panama set up in 2012 was subsequently identified as belonging to the Messis in the [[Panama Papers]] data leak. Messi, who pleaded ignorance of the alleged scheme, voluntarily paid arrears of €5.1&nbsp;million in August 2013. On 6 July 2016, Messi and his father were both found guilty of tax fraud and were handed [[Suspended sentence|suspended]] 21-month prison sentences and respectively ordered to pay €1.7&nbsp;million and €1.4&nbsp;million in fines.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2016/07/06/lionel-messi-tax-fraud-prison-jail-sentence |title=Messi, father guilty of tax fraud, given suspended 21-month sentences |work=Sports Illustrated |date=6 July 2016 |access-date=6 July 2016}}</ref> Facing the judge, he said, "I just played football. I signed the contracts because I trusted my dad and the lawyers and we had decided that they would take charge of those things."<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/story/2884966/barcelonas-lionel-messi-in-tax-court-i-played-football-and-trusted-my-dad |title=Barcelona's Lionel Messi in tax court: I played football and trusted my father |work=ESPN FC |date=2 June 2016}}</ref>
 
== Career statistics ==
=== Club ===
{{updated|10 August 2021}}


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;""
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;""
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan=2|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!rowspan=2|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan=3|League
!colspan="2"|National Cup
!colspan=2|[[Copa del Rey]]
!colspan="2"|[[UEFA|Europe]]{{efn|Appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]]}}
!colspan=2|[[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]]
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan=2|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
!colspan=2|Total
|-
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|-
|[[FC Barcelona C|Barcelona C]]
|[[FC Barcelona C|Barcelona C]]
|{{nowrap|[[2003–04 Tercera División#Grupo V|2003–04]]{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=69–71}}}}
|2003–04  
|[[Tercera División]]
|[[Tercera División]]
|10||5||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||10||5
|10||5||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||10||5
|-
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[FC Barcelona B|Barcelona B]]
|rowspan=3|[[FC Barcelona B|Barcelona B]]
|[[2003–04 Segunda División B#Group III|2003–04]]<ref name="Matches 2003–04" />
|2003–04
|rowspan="2"|[[Segunda División B]]
|rowspan=2|[[Segunda División B]]
|5||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||5||0
|5||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||5||0
|-
|-
|[[2004–05 Segunda División B#Group III|2004–05]]<ref name="Matches 2004–05" />
|2004–05
|17||6||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||17||6
|17||6||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||17||6
|-
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!colspan=2|Total
!32!!11!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!32!!11
!22!!6!!colspan=2|—!!colspan=2|—!!colspan=2|—!!22!!6
|-
|-
|rowspan="18"|[[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]
|rowspan=17|[[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]
|[[2004–05 FC Barcelona season|2004–05]]<ref name="Matches 2004–05" />
|2004–05
|rowspan="17"|[[La Liga]]
|rowspan=16|[[La Liga]]
|7||1||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||9||1
|7||1||1||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||9||1
|-
|-
|[[2005–06 FC Barcelona season|2005–06]]<ref name="Matches 2005–06" />
|2005–06
|17||6||2||1||6||1||0||0||25||8
|17||6||2||1||6||1||0||0||25||8
|-
|-
|[[2006–07 FC Barcelona season|2006–07]]<ref name="Matches 2006–07" />
|2006–07
|26||14||2||2||5||1||3{{efn|One appearance in [[UEFA Super Cup]], two appearances in [[Supercopa de España]]}}||0||36||17
|26||14||2||2||5||1||3{{efn|One appearance in [[UEFA Super Cup]], two appearances in Supercopa de España}}||0||36||17
|-
|-
|[[2007–08 FC Barcelona season|2007–08]]<ref name="Matches 2007–08" />
|2007–08
|28||10||3||0||9||6||colspan="2"|—||40||16
|28||10||3||0||9||6||colspan=2|—||40||16
|-
|-
|[[2008–09 FC Barcelona season|2008–09]]<ref name="Matches 2008–09" />
|2008–09
|31||23||8||6||12||9||colspan="2"|—||51||38
|31||23||8||6||12||9||colspan=2|—||51||38
|-
|-
|[[2009–10 FC Barcelona season|2009–10]]<ref name="Matches 2009–10" />
|2009–10
|35||34||3||1||11||8||4{{efn|One appearance in UEFA Super Cup, one appearance and two goals in Supercopa de España, two appearances and two goals in [[FIFA Club World Cup]]}}||4||53||47
|35||34||3||1||11||8||4{{efn|One appearance in UEFA Super Cup, one appearance and two goals in Supercopa de España, two appearances and two goals in FIFA Club World Cup}}||4||53||47
|-
|-
|[[2010–11 FC Barcelona season|2010–11]]<ref name="Matches 2010–11" />
|2010–11
|33||31||7||7||13||12||2{{efn|name=SDE|Appearance(s) in Supercopa de España}}||3||55||53
|33||31||7||7||13||12||2{{efn|name=SDE|Appearance(s) in Supercopa de España}}||3||55||53
|-
|-
|[[2011–12 FC Barcelona season|2011–12]]<ref name="Matches 2011–12" />
|2011–12
|37||50||7||3||11||14||5{{efn|One appearance and one goal in UEFA Super Cup, two appearances and three goals in Supercopa de España, two appearances and two goals in FIFA Club World Cup}}||6||60||73
|37||50||7||3||11||14||5{{efn|One appearance and one goal in UEFA Super Cup, two appearances and three goals in Supercopa de España, two appearances and two goals in FIFA Club World Cup}}||6||60||73
|-
|-
|[[2012–13 FC Barcelona season|2012–13]]<ref name="Matches 2012–13" />
|2012–13
|32||46||5||4||11||8||2{{efn|name=SDE}}||2||50||60
|32||46||5||4||11||8||2||2||50||60
|-
|-
|[[2013–14 FC Barcelona season|2013–14]]<ref name="Matches 2013–14" />
|2013–14
|31||28||6||5||7||8||2{{efn|name=SDE}}||0||46||41
|31||28||6||5||7||8||2||0||46||41
|-
|-
|[[2014–15 FC Barcelona season|2014–15]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2014–15 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2014-15 |access-date=11 August 2015}}</ref>
|2014–15
|38||43||6||5||13||10||colspan="2"|—||57||58
|38||43||6||5||13||10||colspan=2|—||57||58
|-
|-
|[[2015–16 FC Barcelona season|2015–16]]<ref name="Matches 2015–16">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2015–16 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2015-16 |access-date=6 September 2015}}</ref>
|2015–16
|33||26||5||5||7||6||4{{efn|One appearance and two goals in UEFA Super Cup, two appearances and one goal in Supercopa de España, one appearance and one goal in FIFA Club World Cup}}||4||49||41
|33||26||5||5||7||6||4{{efn|One appearance and two goals in UEFA Super Cup, two appearances and one goal in Supercopa de España, one appearance and one goal in FIFA Club World Cup}}||4||49||41
|-
|-
|[[2016–17 FC Barcelona season|2016–17]]<ref name="Matches 2016–17">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2016–17 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2016-17 |access-date=27 October 2016}}</ref>
|2016–17
|34||37||7||5||9||11||2{{efn|name=SDE}}||1||52||54
|34||37||7||5||9||11||2||1||52||54
|-
|-
|[[2017–18 FC Barcelona season|2017–18]]<ref name="Matches 2017–18">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2017–18 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2017-18 |access-date=27 August 2017}}</ref>
|2017–18
|36||34||6||4||10||6||2{{efn|name=SDE}}||1||54||45
|36||34||6||4||10||6||2||1||54||45
|-
|-
|[[2018–19 FC Barcelona season|2018–19]]<ref name="Matches 2018–19">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2018–19 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2018-19 |access-date=27 August 2018}}</ref>
|2018–19
|34||36||5||3||10||12||1{{efn|name=SDE}}||0||50||51
|34||36||5||3||10||12||1||0||50||51
|-
|-
|[[2019–20 FC Barcelona season|2019–20]]<ref name="Matches 2019–20">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2019–20 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2019-20 |access-date=17 September 2019}}</ref>
|2019–20
|33||25||2||2||8||3||1{{efn|name=SDE}}||1||44||31
|26||21||2||2||6||2||1||1||35||26
|-
|-
|[[2020–21 FC Barcelona season|2020–21]]<ref name="Matches 2020–21">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2020–21 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2020-21 |access-date=9 October 2020}}</ref>
!colspan=2|Total
|35||30||5||3||6||5||1{{efn|name=SDE}}||0||47||38
!478||440||75||53||141||114||28||22||722||629
|-
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!colspan=3|Career total
!520||474||80||56||149||120||29||22||778||672
!510||451||75||53||141||114||28||22||754||640
|-
|[[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]]
|[[2021–22 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season|2021–22]]<ref name="Matches 2021–22">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2021–22 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2021-22 |access-date=18 August 2021}}</ref>
|[[Ligue 1]]
|0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!552||485||80||56||149||120||29||22||810||683
|}
|}


{{notelist}}
==International career statistics==


=== International ===
{{updated|17 November 2020}}
{{See also|List of international goals scored by Lionel Messi}}
{{updated|match played 10 July 2021}}


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;""
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;""
Line 517: Line 219:
!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|-
|rowspan=3|[[Argentina national under-20 football team|Argentina U20]]{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=209–219}}{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=220–240}}
|rowspan=17|[[Argentina national football team|Argentina]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/messi-intlg.html |title=Lionel Andrés Messi – Goals in International Matches |publisher=RSSSF |access-date=23 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi: Player Profile |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.com/player/45843/lionel-messi |access-date=9 September 2020}}</ref>
|2004
|colspan=2|—||2||3||2||3
|-
|2005
|16{{efn|Nine appearances and five goals in the [[2005 South American U-20 Championship]], seven appearances and six goals in the [[2005 FIFA World Youth Championship]]}}||11||colspan=2|—||16||11
|-
!Total
!16||11||2||3||18||14
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Argentina national under-23 football team|Argentina U23]]{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=436–437}}
|2008
|5{{efn|Appearances in [[Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics|Summer Olympics]]}}||2||colspan=2|—||5||2
|-
!Total
!5||2||0||0||5||2
|-
|rowspan=18|[[Argentina national football team|Argentina]]<ref name="Century"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi: Player Profile |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.com/player/45843/lionel-messi |access-date=9 September 2015}}</ref>
|2005
|2005
|3{{efn|name=WCQ|Appearance(s) in [[FIFA World Cup qualification]]}}||0||2||0||5||0
|3{{efn|name=WCQ|Appearance(s) in [[FIFA World Cup qualification]]}}||0||2||0||5||0
Line 569: Line 254:
|-
|-
|2016
|2016
|10{{efn|Five appearances and three goals in FIFA World Cup qualification, five appearances and five goals in Copa América}}||8||1||0||11||8
|10{{efn|Five appearances and three goals in FIFA World Cup qualification, five appearances and five goals in [[Copa América Centenario]]}}||8||1||0||11||8
|-
|-
|2017
|2017
Line 582: Line 267:
|2020
|2020
|4{{efn|name=WCQ}}||1||0||0||4||1
|4{{efn|name=WCQ}}||1||0||0||4||1
|-
|2021
|9{{efn|Two appearances and one goal in FIFA World Cup qualification, seven appearances and four goals in Copa América}}||5||0||0||9||5
|-
|-
!Total
!Total
!104||42||47||34||151||76
!95||37||47||34||142||71
|-
!colspan=2|Career total
!125||55||49||37||174||92
|}
|}
{{notelist}}
{{notelist}}


== Honours ==
== Honours ==
{{For|a comprehensive listing of Messi's achievements|List of career achievements by Lionel Messi}}


=== Club ===
=== Club ===
'''Barcelona'''<ref>[https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/players/4974/lionel-messi Lionel Messi]; Barcelona's official website</ref>
'''Barcelona'''<ref>[https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/players/4974/lionel-messi Lionel Messi] at Barcelona's official website</ref>


* [[La Liga]] (10): [[2004–05 La Liga|2004–05]], [[2005–06 La Liga|2005–06]], [[2008–09 La Liga|2008–09]], [[2009–10 La Liga|2009–10]], [[2010–11 La Liga|2010–11]], [[2012–13 La Liga|2012–13]], [[2014–15 La Liga|2014–15]], [[2015–16 La Liga|2015–16]], [[2017–18 La Liga|2017–18]], [[2018–19 La Liga|2018–19]]
* [[La Liga]]: [[2004–05 La Liga|2004–05]], [[2005–06 La Liga|2005–06]], [[2008–09 La Liga|2008–09]], [[2009–10 La Liga|2009–10]], [[2010–11 La Liga|2010–11]], [[2012–13 La Liga|2012–13]], [[2014–15 La Liga|2014–15]], [[2015–16 La Liga|2015–16]], [[2017–18 La Liga|2017–18]], [[2018–19 La Liga|2018–19]]
* [[Copa del Rey]] (7): [[2008–09 Copa del Rey|2008–09]], [[2011–12 Copa del Rey|2011–12]], [[2014–15 Copa del Rey|2014–15]], [[2015–16 Copa del Rey|2015–16]], [[2016–17 Copa del Rey|2016–17]], [[2017–18 Copa del Rey|2017–18]], [[2020–21 Copa del Rey|2020–21]]
* [[Copa del Rey]]: [[2008–09 Copa del Rey|2008–09]], [[2011–12 Copa del Rey|2011–12]], [[2014–15 Copa del Rey|2014–15]], [[2015–16 Copa del Rey|2015–16]], [[2016–17 Copa del Rey|2016–17]], [[2017–18 Copa del Rey|2017–18]], 2020-21
* [[Supercopa de España]] (8): [[2005 Supercopa de España|2005]], [[2006 Supercopa de España|2006]], [[2009 Supercopa de España|2009]], [[2010 Supercopa de España|2010]], [[2011 Supercopa de España|2011]], [[2013 Supercopa de España|2013]], [[2016 Supercopa de España|2016]], [[2018 Supercopa de España|2018]]
* [[Supercopa de España]]: [[2006 Supercopa de España|2006]], [[2009 Supercopa de España|2009]], [[2010 Supercopa de España|2010]], [[2011 Supercopa de España|2011]], [[2013 Supercopa de España|2013]], [[2016 Supercopa de España|2016]], [[2018 Supercopa de España|2018]]
* [[UEFA Champions League]] (4): [[2005–06 UEFA Champions League|2005–06]], [[2008–09 UEFA Champions League|2008–09]], [[2010–11 UEFA Champions League|2010–11]], [[2014–15 UEFA Champions League|2014–15]]
* [[UEFA Champions League]]: [[2005–06 UEFA Champions League|2005–06]], [[2008–09 UEFA Champions League|2008–09]], [[2010–11 UEFA Champions League|2010–11]], [[2014–15 UEFA Champions League|2014–15]]
* [[UEFA Super Cup]] (3): [[2009 UEFA Super Cup|2009]], [[2011 UEFA Super Cup|2011]], [[2015 UEFA Super Cup|2015]]
* [[UEFA Super Cup]]: [[2009 UEFA Super Cup|2009]], [[2011 UEFA Super Cup|2011]], [[2015 UEFA Super Cup|2015]]
* [[FIFA Club World Cup]] (3): [[2009 FIFA Club World Cup|2009]], [[2011 FIFA Club World Cup|2011]], [[2015 FIFA Club World Cup|2015]]
* [[FIFA Club World Cup]]: [[2009 FIFA Club World Cup|2009]], [[2011 FIFA Club World Cup|2011]], [[2015 FIFA Club World Cup|2015]]


=== International ===
=== International ===
'''Argentina U20'''
'''Argentina U20'''
* [[FIFA U-20 World Cup]]: [[2005 FIFA World Youth Championship#Final|2005]]
* [[FIFA U-20 World Cup]]: [[2005 FIFA World Youth Championship#Final|2005]]


'''Argentina U23'''
'''Argentina Olympic team'''
 
* [[Football at the Summer Olympics#Men's tournament|Summer Olympics]]: [[Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2008]]
* [[Football at the Summer Olympics#Men's tournament|Summer Olympics]]: [[Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2008]]
'''Argentina Senior team'''


'''Argentina'''
* Copa America: 2021
* [[Copa América]]: [[2021 Copa América|2021]]; runner-up (3): [[2007 Copa América|2007]], [[2015 Copa América|2015]], [[2016 Copa América|2016]]
* [[FIFA World Cup]] runner-up: [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014]]


=== Individual ===
=== Individual ===
[[File:Messi with Neymar Junior the Future of Brazil.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|right|Messi ([[FIFA Club World Cup awards#Golden Ball|Golden Ball winner]]) pictured with future Barcelona and PSG team-mate [[Neymar]] (Bronze Ball winner) at the conclusion of [[2011 FIFA Club World Cup Final|2011 FIFA Club World Cup]].]]{{columns-list|colwidth=50em|}}
{{columns-list||colwidth=50em}}
 
* [[Ballon d'Or]]/[[FIFA Ballon d'Or]] (6): [[2009 Ballon d'Or|2009]], [[2010 FIFA Ballon d'Or|2010]], [[2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or|2011]], [[2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or|2012]], [[2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or|2015]], [[2019 Ballon d'Or|2019]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/12/02/ballon-dorlive-updates-ceremony-lionel-messi-virgil-van-dijk/|title=Ballon d'Or: live updates from the ceremony as Lionel Messi and Virgil van Dijk compete for top award|last=Magee|first=Will|date=2 December 2019|work=The Telegraph|access-date=2 December 2019|issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref name="BdorRSSSF">{{cite web |title=European Footballer of the Year ("Ballon d'Or") |publisher=RSSSF |url=http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/europa-poy.html |access-date=9 May 2017}}</ref><ref name="FIFA Ballon d'Or: History" />
* [[FIFA World Player of the Year]]: [[2009 FIFA World Player of the Year|2009]]<ref name="FIFA Ballon d'Or: History">{{cite web |title=FIFA Ballon d'Or: History |publisher=FIFA |url=https://www.fifa.com/ballon-dor/history/index.html |access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref>
* [[The Best FIFA Men's Player]]: [[The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019|2019]]<ref name="Messi FIFA2019">{{cite web |url=https://resources.fifa.com/image/upload/final-results-the-best-fifa-football-awards-2019.pdf?cloudid=wgozggskvgbewa2vsxxy|title=The FIFA Football Awards Voting Results 2019 |work=FIFA |format=PDF |date=23 September 2019 |access-date=23 September 2019}}</ref>
*[[European Golden Shoe]] (6): 2009–10, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19<ref name="46Goals" /><ref name="MessiFourthGoldenShoe" /><ref name="Messi5thGoldenShoe" /><ref name="SixthGoldenShoe" />
* [[FIFA World Cup awards#Golden Ball|FIFA World Cup Golden Ball]]: [[2014 FIFA World Cup#Awards|2014]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi, Neuer Heralded as Brazil 2014's Best |publisher=FIFA |date=13 July 2014 |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2014/m=7/news=messi-heralded-as-brazil-2014-s-best-2404615.html |access-date=27 August 2015}}</ref>
* [[La Liga Awards#Winners|La Liga Best Player]] (6): [[2008–09 La Liga|2008–09]], [[2009–10 La Liga|2009–10]], [[2010–11 La Liga|2010–11]], [[2011–12 La Liga|2011–12]], [[2012–13 La Liga|2012–13]], [[2014–15 La Liga|2014–15]]<ref name="Honours">{{cite news |first=Paul M. |last=Otero |title=Palmarés de un Genio: El Coleccionista de Trofeos |trans-title=Honours of a Genius: The Collector of Trophies |newspaper=Marca |location=Spain |date=12 November 2013 |language=es |url=http://www.marca.com/accesible/2013/11/12/futbol/equipos/barcelona/1384256483.html |access-date=13 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328162523/https://www.marca.com/accesible/2013/11/12/futbol/equipos/barcelona/1384256483.html |archive-date=28 March 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="MessiBest">{{cite web |title=Messi, Mejor Delantero y Mejor Jugador |trans-title=Messi, Best Forward and Best Player |publisher=Liga de Fútbol Profesional |language=es |date=2 December 2013 |url=https://www.ligabbva.com/liga-bbva/126953/messi-mejor-delantero-y-mejor-jugador-cristiano-jugador-mas-valioso/ |access-date=13 September 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208113604/https://www.ligabbva.com/liga-bbva/126953/messi-mejor-delantero-y-mejor-jugador-cristiano-jugador-mas-valioso/ |archive-date=8 December 2015}}</ref><ref name="2014–15BBVA">{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi, 2014–15 Liga BBVA Best Player |publisher=Liga de Fútbol Profesional |date=30 November 2015 |url=http://www.laliga.es/en/noticias/lionel-messi-201415-liga-bbva-best-player |access-date=8 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322140218/https://www.laliga.es/en/noticias/lionel-messi-201415-liga-bbva-best-player |archive-date=22 March 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Footballer of the Year of Argentina#Winners|Olimpia de Plata (Argentine Footballer of the Year)]] (12): 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019<ref name="Honours" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Premios Olimpia 2015: La Judoca Paula Pareto se Llevó el Oro y los de Plata Fueron Para Messi, Marco Ruben, Andrés Nocioni y Adolfo Cambiaso |trans-title=Olympia Awards 2015: The Judoca Paula Pareto Took the Gold and Silver Was for Messi, Marco Ruben, Andrés Nocioni and Adolfo Cambiaso |publisher=LRA Radio Nacional |language=es |date=23 December 2015 |url=http://www.radionacional.com.ar/?p=88753 |access-date=8 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Los Ganadores de Olimpia de Plata en Cada Deporte, con los Medallistas Dorados de Río entre los Destacados |trans-title=The Winners of the Silver Olimpia in Each Sport, with the Gold Medalists of Río among the Highlights |newspaper=La Nacion |language=es |date=20 December 2016 |url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1968952-los-ganadores-de-olimpia-de-plata-en-cada-deporte-con-los-medallistas-dorados-de-rio-entre-los-destacados |access-date=21 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Delfina Pignatiello se quedó con el Olimpia de Oro |url=https://tn.com.ar/deportes/esencial/delfina-pignatiello-se-quedo-con-el-olimpia-de-oro_841098 |newspaper=TN |location=Buenos Aires |date=20 December 2017 |access-date=26 January 2018 |language=es}}</ref>
* [[Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year|Laureus World Sportsman of the Year]]: 2020<ref>{{cite news|title=Messi wins the Laureus award for 'Best Sportsman of the Year'|agency=FC Barcelona|url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/news/1613453/messi-wins-the-laureus-award-for-best-sportsman-of-the-year|access-date=17 February 2020}}</ref>
* [[Ballon d'Or Dream Team#First Team|Ballon d'Or Dream Team]]: 2020<ref>{{cite web |last=Crépin |first=Timothé |title=Ballon d'Or Dream Team : Découvrez les révélations de ce onze de légende ! |url=https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Ballon-d-or-dream-team-decouvrez-les-revelations-de-ce-onze-de-legende/1205748 |website=[[France Football]] |language=fr |date=14 December 2020 |access-date=14 December 2020}}</ref>
 
== See also ==
{{Portal|Association football|Argentina}}
* [[List of men's footballers with 500 or more goals]]
* [[List of men's footballers with 50 or more international goals]]
* [[List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps]]
* [[List of top international men's football goal scorers by country|List of top international men's football goalscorers by country]]
* [[European Cup and UEFA Champions League records and statistics]]
* [[Football records and statistics in Spain]]
* [[FIFA World Cup awards]]
* [[List of most-followed Instagram accounts]]


== Notes ==
* [[Ballon d'Or]]: [[2009 Ballon d'Or|2009]], [[2010 FIFA Ballon d'Or|2010]], [[2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or|2011]], [[2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or|2012]], [[2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or|2015]], [[2019 Ballon d'Or|2019]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Magee|first=Will|date=2 December 2019|title=Ballon d'Or: live updates from the ceremony as Lionel Messi and Virgil van Dijk compete for top award|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/12/02/ballon-dorlive-updates-ceremony-lionel-messi-virgil-van-dijk/|access-date=2 December 2019|issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref name="BdorRSSSF">{{cite web|title=European Footballer of the Year ("Ballon d'Or")|url=http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/europa-poy.html|access-date=9 May 2017|publisher=The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation}}</ref><ref name="FIFA Ballon d'Or: History">{{cite web|title=FIFA Ballon d'Or: History|url=https://www.fifa.com/ballon-dor/history/index.html|access-date=13 September 2015|publisher=FIFA|archive-date=28 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140928131021/http://www.fifa.com/ballon-dor/history/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{notelist-ua}}
* FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: [[2014 FIFA World Cup#Awards|2014]]<ref>{{cite web|date=13 July 2014|title=Messi, Neuer Heralded as Brazil 2014's Best|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2014/m=7/news=messi-heralded-as-brazil-2014-s-best-2404615.html|access-date=27 August 2015|publisher=FIFA|archive-date=30 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330045100/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2014/m=7/news=messi-heralded-as-brazil-2014-s-best-2404615.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{Reflist|group=note}}
* [[FIFA World Player of the Year]]: [[2009 FIFA World Player of the Year|2009]]<ref name="FIFA Ballon d'Or: History" />
{{reflist|group=lower-greek}}
* [[The Best FIFA Men's Player]]: [[The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019|2019]]<ref name="Messi FIFA2019">{{cite web|date=23 September 2019|title=The FIFA Football Awards Voting Results 2019|url=https://resources.fifa.com/image/upload/final-results-the-best-fifa-football-awards-2019.pdf?cloudid=wgozggskvgbewa2vsxxy|access-date=23 September 2019|website=FIFA.com|publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|format=PDF}}</ref>
* [[European Golden Shoe]]: 2009–10, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19<ref name="Messi5thGoldenShoe">{{cite web|date=20 May 2018|title=Messi Wins Fifth Golden Shoe After Winning Pichichi Trophy|url=https://www.goal.com/en/amp/news/messi-set-for-fifth-golden-shoe-after-winning-pichichi/16zqsqe8e9tr3187k929hjiwpt|access-date=20 May 2018|publisher=[[Goal (website)|Goal]]}}</ref>
* [[Copa América]] Golden Ball: [[Copa América#Awards|2015]]<ref>{{cite web|date=5 July 2015|title=BeIN Sports: Messi habría rechazado el MVP del torneo|trans-title=BeIN Sports: Messi reportedly rejects MVP award for tournament|url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2015/07/05/internacional/1436124524_550381.html|access-date=5 July 2015|publisher=AS.com|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Lionel Messi allegedly refuses best player award at Copa America as trophy removed from ceremony|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/babb/11720312/Lionel-Messi-allegedly-refuses-best-player-award-at-Copa-America-as-trophy-removed-from-ceremony.html|access-date=5 December 2015|website=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Messi rechazó recoger el premio a MVP de la Copa América|url=http://www.marca.com/2015/07/05/futbol/copa-america/1436123341.html|access-date=5 December 2015|website=Marca|date=5 July 2015|location=Spain|language=es}}</ref>
* [[UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award]]: 2011, 2015
* UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: 2009<ref name="Profile: Lionel Messi">{{cite web|title=Profile: Lionel Messi|url=http://www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/players/player=95803/profile/|access-date=13 September 2015|publisher=UEFA}}</ref>
* UEFA Club Forward of the Year: 2009, 2019<ref name="Profile: Lionel Messi" />
* [[La Liga Awards|La Liga Best Player]]: [[2008–09 La Liga|2008–09]], [[2009–10 La Liga|2009–10]], [[2010–11 La Liga|2010–11]], [[2011–12 La Liga|2011–12]], [[2012–13 La Liga|2012–13]], [[2014–15 La Liga|2014–15]]<ref name="Honours of a Genius: The Collector of Trophies">{{cite news|last=Otero|first=Paul M.|date=12 November 2013|title=Palmarés de un Genio: El Coleccionista de Trofeos|language=es|trans-title=Honours of a Genius: The Collector of Trophies|newspaper=Marca|location=Spain|url=http://www.marca.com/accesible/2013/11/12/futbol/equipos/barcelona/1384256483.html|url-status=dead|access-date=13 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328162523/https://www.marca.com/accesible/2013/11/12/futbol/equipos/barcelona/1384256483.html|archive-date=28 March 2019}}</ref><ref name="Messi, Best Forward and Best Player">{{cite web|date=2 December 2013|title=Messi, Mejor Delantero y Mejor Jugador|trans-title=Messi, Best Forward and Best Player|url=https://www.ligabbva.com/liga-bbva/126953/messi-mejor-delantero-y-mejor-jugador-cristiano-jugador-mas-valioso/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208113604/https://www.ligabbva.com/liga-bbva/126953/messi-mejor-delantero-y-mejor-jugador-cristiano-jugador-mas-valioso/|archive-date=8 December 2015|access-date=13 September 2015|publisher=Liga de Fútbol Profesional|language=es}}</ref><ref name="Lionel Messi, 2014–15 Liga BBVA Best Player">{{cite web|date=30 November 2015|title=Lionel Messi, 2014–15 Liga BBVA Best Player|url=http://www.laliga.es/en/noticias/lionel-messi-201415-liga-bbva-best-player|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322140218/https://www.laliga.es/en/noticias/lionel-messi-201415-liga-bbva-best-player|archive-date=22 March 2019|access-date=8 January 2016|publisher=Liga de Fútbol Profesional}}</ref>
* [[La Liga Awards#Winners|La Liga Best Forward]]: [[2008–09 La Liga|2008–09]], [[2009–10 La Liga|2009–10]], [[2010–11 La Liga|2010–11]], [[2011–12 La Liga|2011–12]], [[2012–13 La Liga|2012–13]], [[2014–15 La Liga|2014–15]], [[2015–16 La Liga|2015–16]]<ref name="Honours of a Genius: The Collector of Trophies" /><ref name="Messi, Best Forward and Best Player" /><ref name="Lionel Messi, 2014–15 Liga BBVA Best Player" /><ref>{{cite web|date=24 October 2016|title=Lionel Messi named Best Striker in La Liga Santander 2015–16|url=http://www.laliga.es/en/news/lionel-messi-named-best-striker-in-laliga-santander-201516|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806211635/https://www.laliga.es/en/news/lionel-messi-named-best-striker-in-laliga-santander-201516|archive-date=6 August 2019|access-date=25 October 2016|publisher=Liga de Fútbol Profesional}}</ref>
* [[Trofeo Alfredo Di Stéfano]] (best player in Spain): [[2008–09 La Liga|2008–09]], [[2009–10 La Liga|2009–10]], [[2010–11 La Liga|2010–11]], [[2014–15 La Liga|2014–15]], [[2016–17 La Liga|2016–17]], [[2017–18 La Liga|2017–18]], [[2018–19 La Liga|2018–19]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-12-16|title=The MARCA 2019 football awards: Messi collects sixth Pichichi|url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/spanish-football/2019/12/16/5df79e0d22601de02c8b462f.html|access-date=2020-12-29|language=en|newspaper=[[Marca (newspaper)|Marca]]}}</ref>
* [[Pichichi Trophy]]: 2009–10, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20<ref>[https://www.si.com/soccer/2019/05/19/lionel-messi-barcelona-goals-eibar-european-golden-boot-race “Messi Wins Sixth Pichichi Trophy, Extends Lead in European Golden Boot Race”]. ''Sports Illustrated'', 19 May 2019</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Messi equals Zarra's record with sixth Pichichi award|url=http://onefootball.com/en/news/messi-equals-zarras-record-with-sixth-pichichi-award-25698176?variable=20190703|access-date=8 April 2020|website=Onefootball}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=19 July 2020|title=Leo Messi wins his seventh Pichichi, a LaLiga record|url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/news/1732775/leo-messi-wins-his-seventh-pichichi-a-laliga-record|access-date=19 July 2020|publisher=FC Barcelona}}</ref>
* FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: [[2009 FIFA Club World Cup#Awards|2009]], [[2011 FIFA Club World Cup#Awards|2011]]<ref name="FIFA Club World Cup: Awards">{{cite web|title=FIFA Club World Cup: Awards|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/awards/goldenball.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407144625/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/awards/goldenball.html|archive-date=7 April 2015|publisher=FIFA}}</ref>
* FIFA Club World Cup Silver Ball: [[2015 FIFA Club World Cup#Awards|2015]]<ref>{{cite web|date=20 December 2015|title=Barcelona Trio Sweep Awards|url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/y=2015/m=12/news=barcelona-trio-raumt-ab-2747108-2747184.html|access-date=8 January 2016|publisher=FIFA|archive-date=20 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220152446/http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/y=2015/m=12/news=barcelona-trio-raumt-ab-2747108-2747184.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* FIFA Club World Cup Final Most Valuable Player: 2009, 2011<ref name="FIFA Club World Cup: Awards" />
* [[FIFA U-20 World Cup#Golden Ball|FIFA World Youth Championship Golden Ball]]: [[2005 FIFA World Youth Championship#Awards|2005]]<ref name="2005 FIFA World Youth Championship">{{cite web|title=FIFA World Youth Championship Netherlands 2005|url=https://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/archive/netherlands2005/index.html|access-date=27 August 2015|publisher=FIFA|archive-date=21 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821174600/https://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/archive/netherlands2005/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[FIFA U-20 World Cup#Golden Boot|FIFA World Youth Championship Golden Shoe]]: [[2005 FIFA World Youth Championship#Goalscorers|2005]]<ref name="2005 FIFA World Youth Championship" />
* IFFHS World's Best Playmaker: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019<ref name="Former Results">{{cite web|title=Former Results|url=http://iffhs.de/former-results/|access-date=30 November 2019|publisher=IFFHS|archive-date=24 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924094523/https://iffhs.de/former-results/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[International Federation of Football History & Statistics|IFFHS]] World's Best Top Division Goal Scorer: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2018<ref>{{Cite web|title=IFFHS (International Federation of Football for History & Statistics|url=https://iffhs.de/posts/107|access-date=2020-12-29|website=iffhs.de|archive-date=2021-01-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128132827/https://iffhs.de/posts/107|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Argentine Footballer of the Year: 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019<ref name="Honours of a Genius: The Collector of Trophies" /><ref>{{cite web|date=23 December 2015|title=Premios Olimpia 2015: La Judoca Paula Pareto se Llevó el Oro y los de Plata Fueron Para Messi, Marco Ruben, Andrés Nocioni y Adolfo Cambiaso|trans-title=Olympia Awards 2015: The Judoca Paula Pareto Took the Gold and Silver Was for Messi, Marco Ruben, Andrés Nocioni and Adolfo Cambiaso|url=http://www.radionacional.com.ar/?p=88753|access-date=8 January 2016|publisher=LRA Radio Nacional|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=20 December 2016|title=Los Ganadores de Olimpia de Plata en Cada Deporte, con los Medallistas Dorados de Río entre los Destacados|language=es|trans-title=The Winners of the Silver Olimpia in Each Sport, with the Gold Medalists of Río among the Highlights|newspaper=La Nacion|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1968952-los-ganadores-de-olimpia-de-plata-en-cada-deporte-con-los-medallistas-dorados-de-rio-entre-los-destacados|access-date=21 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=20 December 2017|title=Delfina Pignatiello se quedó con el Olimpia de Oro|language=es|newspaper=TN|location=Buenos Aires|url=https://tn.com.ar/deportes/esencial/delfina-pignatiello-se-quedo-con-el-olimpia-de-oro_841098|access-date=26 January 2018}}</ref>
* [[Copa América records and statistics|Copa América Best Young Player]]: [[2007 Copa América#Awards|2007]]{{sfn|Caioli|2012|p=248}}
* [[FIFPro#FIFPro Young Player of the Year, 2005–2008|FIFPro Young World Player of the Year]]: 2006, 2007, 2008{{sfn|Caioli|2012|p=248}}
* [[Golden Boy (award)|Golden Boy]]: 2005{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=279–284}}
* [[FIFPro#FIFA FIFPro Men's World11|FIFA FIFPro World11]]: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020{{sfn|Caioli|2012|p=248}}<ref name="FIFPro and FIFA Present the 2015 World XI">{{cite web|date=11 January 2016|title=FIFPro and FIFA Present the 2015 World XI|url=http://www.fifpro.org/en/news/fifpro-and-fifa-present-the-2015-world-xi|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424013949/https://fifpro.org/en/news/fifpro-and-fifa-present-the-2015-world-xi|archive-date=24 April 2016|access-date=12 February 2016|publisher=FIFPro}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=9 January 2017|title=The Best named at FIFA Football Awards|url=https://www.fifa.com/the-best-fifa-football-awards/news/y=2017/m=1/news=the-best-named-at-fifa-football-awards-2862916.html|access-date=12 January 2017|publisher=FIFA|archive-date=20 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180520041520/http://www.fifa.com/the-best-fifa-football-awards/news/y=2017/m=1/news=the-best-named-at-fifa-football-awards-2862916.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=24 October 2017|title=FIFA FIFPro World11|url=https://www.fifa.com/the-best-fifa-football-awards/fifa-fifpro-world11/index.html|access-date=24 October 2017|publisher=FIFA|archive-date=14 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414110958/http://www.fifa.com/the-best-fifa-football-awards/fifa-fifpro-world11/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=24 September 2018|title=DE GEA, KANTE AND MBAPPE IN WORLD 11|url=https://www.fifpro.org/news/de-gea-kante-mbappe-in-world-11/en/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190911061411/https://fifpro.org/news/de-gea-kante-mbappe-in-world-11/en/|archive-date=11 September 2019|access-date=25 September 2018|website=FIFPro World Players' Union}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=23 September 2019|title=VAN DIJK AMONG FOUR DEBUTANTS IN MEN'S WORLD 11|url=https://fifpro.org/news/fifa-fifpro-men-s-world-11-2018-2019/en/|website=FIFPro World Players' Union}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-12-17|title=The FIFA FIFPRO Men's World 11 of 2019-2020 - FIFPRO World Players' Union|url=https://fifpro.org/en/industry/world-11/the-fifa-fifpro-men-s-world-11-of-2020|access-date=2020-12-18|website=FIFPRO|language=en}}</ref>
* [[International Federation of Football History & Statistics|IFFHS]] World Team of the Year: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=IFFHS (International Federation of Football for History & Statistics|url=https://www.iffhs.de/posts/919|access-date=2021-01-31|website=www.iffhs.de|archive-date=2021-02-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207131906/https://www.iffhs.de/posts/919|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* IFFHS World Team of the Decade 2011–2020<ref name=":1" />
* [[International Federation of Football History & Statistics#IFFHS CONMEBOL Man Team of the Decade 2011–2020|IFFHS CONMEBOL Team of the Decade]] 2011–2020<ref>{{cite web|date=26 January 2021|title=IFFHS MAN TEAM - CONMEBOL - OF THE DECADE 2011-2020|url=https://www.iffhs.de/posts/921|work=IFFHS|access-date=2 March 2021|archive-date=29 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129085023/https://iffhs.de/posts/921|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[UEFA Team of the Year]]: [[UEFA Team of the Year#Team of the Year 2008|2008]], [[UEFA Team of the Year#Team of the Year 2009|2009]], [[UEFA Team of the Year#Team of the Year 2010|2010]], [[UEFA Team of the Year#Team of the Year 2011|2011]], [[UEFA Team of the Year#Team of the Year 2012|2012]], [[UEFA Team of the Year#Team of the Year 2014|2014]], [[UEFA Team of the Year#Team of the Year 2015|2015]], [[UEFA Team of the Year#Team of the Year 2016|2016]], [[UEFA Team of the Year#Team of the Year 2017|2017]], [[UEFA Team of the Year#Team of the Year 2018|2018]], [[UEFA Team of the Year#Team of the Year 2019|2019]], [[UEFA Team of the Year#Team of the Year 2020|2020]]<ref name="Profile: Lionel Messi" /><ref name="Team of the Year 2015: Lionel Messi">{{cite web|date=8 January 2016|title=Team of the Year 2015: Lionel Messi|url=http://en.toty.uefa.com/forwards.html?playerId=95803|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120011720/http://en.toty.uefa.com/forwards.html?playerId=95803|archive-date=20 January 2016|access-date=8 January 2016|publisher=UEFA}}</ref><ref name="UEFAtoty2017">{{cite web|date=11 January 2018|title=Facts and figures: UEFA.com Team of the Year 2017|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2528699.html#/facts+figures+uefa+team+year+2017|access-date=13 January 2018|website=UEFA.com: The official website for European football|publisher=UEFA}}</ref><ref name="UEFAtoty2018">{{cite web|date=11 January 2019|title=UEFA.com fans' Team of the Year 2018 revealed|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2589223.html|access-date=11 January 2019|website=UEFA.com: The official website for European football|publisher=UEFA}}</ref><ref name="UEFAtoty2019">{{cite web|date=15 January 2020|title=UEFA.com fans' Team of the Year 2019 revealed|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2637433.html|access-date=15 January 2020|website=UEFA.com: The official website for European football|publisher=UEFA}}</ref><ref name="UEFAtoty2020">{{cite web|date=20 January 2021|title=UEFA.com Fans' Teams of the Year 2020 announced|url=https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/mediaservices/mediareleases/news/0265-1160a803540f-283794ce2b95-1000--uefa-com-fans-teams-of-the-year-2020-announced/|access-date=20 January 2021|website=UEFA.com: The official website for European football|publisher=UEFA}}</ref>
* [[FIFA World Cup awards|FIFA World Cup Dream Team]]: [[2014 FIFA World Cup#Dream Team|2014]]<ref>{{cite web|date=23 July 2014|title=Dream Team Winners Earn Sony Prizes|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2014/m=7/news=dream-team-winners-earn-sony-prizes-2406063.html|access-date=27 August 2015|publisher=FIFA|archive-date=23 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140723205724/http://www.fifa.com//worldcup/news/y=2014/m=7/news=dream-team-winners-earn-sony-prizes-2406063.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Copa América Dream Team: [[2007 Copa América|2007]], [[2011 Copa América|2011]], [[2015 Copa América#Team of the tournament|2015]], [[Copa América Centenario|2016]]<ref>{{cite news|date=16 July 2007|title=El Once Ideal de la Copa América|language=es|trans-title=The Ideal Eleven of the Copa América|newspaper=La República|url=http://larepublica.pe/16-07-2007/el-once-ideal-de-la-copa-america|url-status=dead|access-date=16 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229220113/http://larepublica.pe/16-07-2007/el-once-ideal-de-la-copa-america|archive-date=29 December 2016}}</ref><ref name="The Copa América 2011 Dream Team">{{cite web|date=8 June 2015|title=The Copa América 2011 Dream Team|url=http://www.ca2015.com/en/gallery/the-copa-america-2011-dream-team/t8bquapogxrw10j9h0aa6h9d7/slide/8|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930010155/http://www.ca2015.com/en/gallery/the-copa-america-2011-dream-team/t8bquapogxrw10j9h0aa6h9d7/slide/8|archive-date=30 September 2015|access-date=13 September 2015|publisher=Copa America Organisation}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=5 July 2015|title=Copa América 2015: Team of the Tournament|url=http://www.ca2015.com/en/gallery/copa-america-2015---team-of-the-tournament/1nqqmzngdosa911z9l2g8k8317/slide/9|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150902002042/http://www.ca2015.com/en/gallery/copa-america-2015---team-of-the-tournament/1nqqmzngdosa911z9l2g8k8317/slide/9|archive-date=2 September 2015|access-date=27 August 2015|publisher=Copa América Organisation}}</ref>
* Ballon d'Or Dream Team: 2020<ref>{{cite web|last=Crépin|first=Timothé|date=14 December 2020|title=Ballon d'Or Dream Team : Découvrez les révélations de ce onze de légende !|url=https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Ballon-d-or-dream-team-decouvrez-les-revelations-de-ce-onze-de-legende/1205748|access-date=14 December 2020|website=[[France Football]]|language=fr}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
 
{{Reflist}}
'''Bibliography'''
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |title=Messi |last=Balagué |first=Guillem |date=2013 |publisher=Orion Books |isbn=978-1-4091-4659-9 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/messibiography0000bala}}
* {{cite book |title=Messi: The Inside Story of the Boy Who Became a Legend |last=Caioli |first=Luca |date=2012 |publisher=Corinthian Books |isbn=978-1-906850-40-1}}
* {{cite book |title=Messi: More than a Superstar |last=Caioli |first=Luca |date=2015 |publisher=Icon Books |isbn=978-1-906850-91-3}}
* {{cite book |title=Guinness World Records 2015 |url=https://archive.org/details/guinnessworldrec0000unse_f8z3 |url-access=registration |date=2014 |publisher=Guinness World Records |isbn=978-1-908843-65-4 |ref={{harvid|Guinness World Records|2014}}}}
* {{cite book |title=Barça: The Making of the Greatest Team in the World |last=Hunter |first=Graham |date=2012 |publisher=BackPage Press |isbn=978-0-9564971-8-5}}
* {{cite book |title=A History of the World Cup: 1930–2010 |last=Lisi |first=Clemente Angelo |date=2011 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=978-0-8108-7754-2 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/historyofworldcu0000lisi_v7i5}}
* {{cite book |title=Above Us Only Sky: Liverpool FC's Global Revolution |last=Tomkins |first=Paul |date=2007 |publisher=Anchor Print Group |isbn=978-0-9556367-0-7}}
{{refend}}


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{{DEFAULTSORT:Messi, Lionel}}
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[[Category:FC Barcelona C players]]
[[Category:FIFA Century Club]]
[[Category:FIFA World Player of the Year winners]]
[[Category:FIFA World Player of the Year winners]]
[[Category:Footballers at the 2008 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Footballers from Barcelona]]
[[Category:Footballers from Rosario, Santa Fe]]
[[Category:Golden Boy winners]]
[[Category:La Liga players]]
[[Category:Ligue 1 players]]
[[Category:Laureus World Sports Awards winners]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2008 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Naturalised citizens of Spain]]
[[Category:Olympic footballers of Argentina]]
[[Category:Olympic gold medalists for Argentina]]
[[Category:Olympic medalists in football]]
[[Category:Paris Saint-Germain F.C. players]]
[[Category:People convicted of fraud]]
[[Category:People convicted of tax crimes]]
[[Category:People named in the Panama Papers]]
[[Category:Pichichi Trophy winners]]
[[Category:Segunda División B players]]
[[Category:Sportspeople convicted of crimes]]
[[Category:Tercera División players]]
[[Category:UEFA Champions League winning players]]
[[Category:UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors]]

Revision as of 11:55, 28 October 2022

Lionel Messi
Messi with Argentina during the 2018 FIFA World Cup
Personal information
Full name Lionel Andres Messi Cuccittini[1]
Date of birth (1987-06-24) 24 June 1987 (age 39)
Place of birth Rosario, Argentina
Height 169 cm (5 ft 7 in)[2]
Position(s) Forward
Club information
Current team
 Paris Saint-Germain
Number 30
Youth career
1994–2000 Newell's Old Boys
2000–2003 Barcelona
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2004 Barcelona C 10 (0)
2004–2005 Barcelona B 22 (1)
2004–2021 Barcelona 520 (474)
2021– Paris Saint-Germain 11 (1)
National team‡
2004–2005 Argentina U20 19 (0)
2007–2008 Argentina U23 5 (2)
2005– Argentina 158 (80)
Honours
Representing  Argentina
South American U-20 Championship
Third place 2005 Colombia
FIFA U-20 World Cup
Winner 2005 Netherlands
Copa América
Runner-up 2007 Venezuela
Runner-up 2015 Chile
Runner-up 2016 United States
Winner 2021 Brazil
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2008 Beijing
FIFA World Cup
Runner-up 2014 Brazil
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18 January 2022
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 18 January 2022

Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi Cuccittini (Spanish pronunciation: [ljoˈnel anˈdɾes ˈmesi]) (born 24 June 1987) is an Argentine footballer.[3] He plays for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and the Argentina national team as a forward.

Many experts and critics consider Messi as one of the greatest football players of all time. Some[who?] even say he is the greatest player ever. Messi has seven Ballon d'Or awards, the most of any player, and two more than Cristiano Ronaldo.[4][5] His playing style and skills are very similar to the Argentine legend Diego Maradona because of their short height. There is much competition between him and Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo because of their similar skill levels.

Early life

Messi was born and raised in Rosario, Argentina. Messi is the third of four children of Jorge Messi and his wife Celia Cuccittini. He has two brothers named Rodrigo and Matias and two cousins named Maximiliano and Emanuel.

Messi's grandmother died when he was 11, and after that he generally celebrates his goals by pointing up in the sky in tribute of his grandmother.

Club career

FC Barcelona

Messi (left) with the Golden Ball award, shaking hands with future teammate Neymar (Bronze Ball winner) after the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup Final.

Messi began football at a young age and his potential was quickly seen by Barcelona. He left Newell's Old Boys' youth team in September 2000 and moved with his family to Europe in February 2001. He officially signed with Barcelona in December 2000 on a napkin. They moved to Spain because Barcelona offered their help to treat his growth hormone deficiency, and Newell's didn't offer any help.[6]

Messi played his first professional match at 16 years old on 16 November 2003 against Porto. He played the 2003-04 season with the Barcelona B team. He was promoted to the A team for the 2004-05 season, and made his league debut on 16 October 2004 against Espanyol as a substitute. He made his league debut at age 17, and became the youngest player to play for Barcelona's first team in an official competition. He scored his first professional goal on 1 May 2005 against Albacete Balompie from a sublime assist by Ronaldinho. The goal made him the youngest-ever scorer for the club at that time. Barcelona won the La Liga that season for the first time in 6 years, and won the league for a second time in a row along with the Spanish Super Cup and UEFA Champions League in 2006.

His first breakthrough season was in the 2006–07 season; he became a first team regular by scoring his first hat-trick of his career in El Clásico. On 18 April 2007, he scored a goal almost exactly identical to Maradona's "Goal of the Century" against England in the 1986 World Cup, where Maradona got the ball behind the halfway line on the right side and beat 4 defenders and the goalie to score. Messi's goal was similar to this; he received a pass from Xavi on the right side behind half-field, and then nut-megged an opponent and 4 others including the goalie before finishing off with his right foot inside the penalty box.[7] In 2019, Barcelona fans voted it as the best goal in the club's history, receiving 45% of votes.[8] After Ronaldinho left the club at the end of the 2007-08 season, Messi was handed the number 10 shirt. The 2008-09 season was arguably one of the most successful seasons in his stellar career. In this season, Messi scored 38 goals in all competitions, including one in the Champions League final against Manchester United that Barcelona won 2–0 as part of their treble. In the following 2009–10 season, Messi scored 47 goals in all competitions. That levelled to Ronaldo Nazario's record total for Barcelona. Messi also won his first Ballon d'Or in December 2009, and also won his second a year later. He scored again in the 2011 Champions League final against their same opponent two years earlier, Manchester United. Barcelona won 3-1. Messi won his third Ballon d'Or in a row that year.

Paris Saint-Germain

After a situation involving FC Barcelona and their overwhelming wage bill, Messi made the most shocking transfer to the French football club Paris-Saint Germain.

International career

Argentina

Messi was allowed to play for both Spain and Argentina since he had dual-nationality, but he decided to play for his home country, Argentina. He led the team to the final game of the 2005 U-20 World Cup by scoring important goals in the knockout stages. Messi scored two goals in the final against Nigeria, and Argentina won 2–1. In addition to receiving a winner's medal, Messi was also awarded the Golden Shoe for most goals scored (6), and Golden Ball for best player.

Messi played his first game with the senior team on 17 August 2005 against Hungary. He came on as a substitute. However, he was shown a red card 45 seconds into the game for hitting an opponent in the face on accident while Messi was trying to pull the opponent off from his shirt. Messi scored his first goal for Argentina in a friendly match against Croatia on 1 March 2006. Argentina lost the game 3-2.[9] He was selected for the 2006 World Cup by coach José Pekerman. In Argentina's second game against Serbia, he became their youngest player to play at a World Cup. He also assisted a goal scored the last one in the 6–0 victory. That goal made him the youngest goalscorer in the 2006 World Cup.

Messi won the 2008 Olympics with Argentina as well, as he assisted Ángel Di Maria's goal in the final against Nigeria in Beijing. Messi was made captain of the national team in 2011. He scored his first hat-trick with the country in his 68th appearance during a 3-1 victory against Switzerland in February 2012.[10]

On 21 June 2016, he broke the top scoring record for Argentina by scoring his 55th goal with a gem of a free-kick against the United States in the Copa América Centenario. It was regarded as the best free-kick scored by Messi during his career. The record was previously held by Gabriel Batistuta with 54 goals.[10]

Retirement

On 26 June, Argentina once again lost to Chile on penalties 4-2 in the Copa América Centenario final after a 0–0 tie. Messi missed his penalty in the penalty shootout. This was Messi's third consecutive defeat in a major tournament final with Argentina, and his fourth overall. A day after the match, Messi announced his retirement from international football. In an emotional interview after the game, he said he was very sad that he missed the penalty and also sad that he wasn't able to win any trophies in four finals.[11][12][13]

Return from Retirement

He came out of retirement in October 2016 for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

After a slow start to the 2018 FIFA World Cup, he helped Argentina qualify to the next round of the competition by scoring the first goal in the 2-1 win over Nigeria.

Jumping to 2021 with the new coach, Lionel Scaloni, Argentina won the Copa America in June. With Dimaria's goal in the 11th minute, they beat Brazil 1-0 in their home ground. Which was one of the main reasons for Messi winning the Ballon do'r for the record 7th time and counting.

In the mid-year 2022 Messi and the amazing Argentina team along with Lionel Scaloni beat Italy 3-0 and won the Finalissma trophy.

Personal life

Relationships

Messi has three children with his wife Antonella Roccuzzo. They are named Thiago Messi, Mateo Messi and Ciro Messi. Thiago was born on 2 November 2012, Mateo was born on 11 September 2015 and Ciro was born on 10 March 2018. On the bottom of Messi's cleats is the name of his first son, Thiago.

Messi and Antonella married in June 2017.[14]

Charity

When not playing on the field, Messi finds time to do charity work. He started the Leo Messi Foundation in 2007 which helps children in at-risk situations. Messi also opened a kids park for children living in a hospital in Barcelona. He also donated 1 million euros for the Covid-19 virus in Barcelona.

Tax Issues

In July 2016 he was convicted of tax fraud and sentenced to spend 21 months in prison. Messi was also fined two million Euros.[15] Messi never went to prison, and the problem was be solved with probation. He told the court he "only played football" and didn't know anything because he left his money problems to be dealt with by his father, Jorge Messi.[16]

Club career statistics

As of 23 June 2020
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Copa del Rey Champions League Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Barcelona C 2003–04 Tercera División 10 5 — — — 10 5
Barcelona B 2003–04 Segunda División B 5 0 — — — 5 0
2004–05 17 6 — — — 17 6
Total 22 6 — — — 22 6
Barcelona 2004–05 La Liga 7 1 1 0 1 0 — 9 1
2005–06 17 6 2 1 6 1 0 0 25 8
2006–07 26 14 2 2 5 1 3[lower-alpha 1] 0 36 17
2007–08 28 10 3 0 9 6 — 40 16
2008–09 31 23 8 6 12 9 — 51 38
2009–10 35 34 3 1 11 8 4[lower-alpha 2] 4 53 47
2010–11 33 31 7 7 13 12 2[lower-alpha 3] 3 55 53
2011–12 37 50 7 3 11 14 5[lower-alpha 4] 6 60 73
2012–13 32 46 5 4 11 8 2 2 50 60
2013–14 31 28 6 5 7 8 2 0 46 41
2014–15 38 43 6 5 13 10 — 57 58
2015–16 33 26 5 5 7 6 4[lower-alpha 5] 4 49 41
2016–17 34 37 7 5 9 11 2 1 52 54
2017–18 36 34 6 4 10 6 2 1 54 45
2018–19 34 36 5 3 10 12 1 0 50 51
2019–20 26 21 2 2 6 2 1 1 35 26
Total 478 440 75 53 141 114 28 22 722 629
Career total 510 451 75 53 141 114 28 22 754 640

International career statistics

As of 17 November 2020
Appearances and goals by national team, year and competition
Team Year Competitive Friendly Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Argentina[17][18] 2005 3[lower-alpha 6] 0 2 0 5 0
2006 3[lower-alpha 7] 1 4 1 7 2
2007 10[lower-alpha 8] 4 4 2 14 6
2008 6[lower-alpha 6] 1 2 1 8 2
2009 8[lower-alpha 6] 1 2 2 10 3
2010 5[lower-alpha 7] 0 5 2 10 2
2011 8[lower-alpha 9] 2 5 2 13 4
2012 5[lower-alpha 6] 5 4 7 9 12
2013 5[lower-alpha 6] 3 2 3 7 6
2014 7[lower-alpha 7] 4 7 4 14 8
2015 6[lower-alpha 10] 1 2 3 8 4
2016 10[lower-alpha 11] 8 1 0 11 8
2017 5[lower-alpha 6] 4 2 0 7 4
2018 4[lower-alpha 7] 1 1 3 5 4
2019 6[lower-alpha 10] 1 4 4 10 5
2020 4[lower-alpha 6] 1 0 0 4 1
Total 95 37 47 34 142 71
  1. ↑ One appearance in UEFA Super Cup, two appearances in Supercopa de España
  2. ↑ One appearance in UEFA Super Cup, one appearance and two goals in Supercopa de España, two appearances and two goals in FIFA Club World Cup
  3. ↑ Appearance(s) in Supercopa de España
  4. ↑ One appearance and one goal in UEFA Super Cup, two appearances and three goals in Supercopa de España, two appearances and two goals in FIFA Club World Cup
  5. ↑ One appearance and two goals in UEFA Super Cup, two appearances and one goal in Supercopa de España, one appearance and one goal in FIFA Club World Cup
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 Appearance(s) in FIFA World Cup qualification
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Appearance(s) in FIFA World Cup
  8. ↑ Six appearances and two goals in Copa América, four appearances and two goals in FIFA World Cup qualification
  9. ↑ Four appearances in Copa América, four appearances and two goals in FIFA World Cup qualification
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Appearance(s) in Copa América
  11. ↑ Five appearances and three goals in FIFA World Cup qualification, five appearances and five goals in Copa América Centenario

Honours

Club

Barcelona[19]

International

Argentina U20

Argentina Olympic team

Argentina Senior team

  • Copa America: 2021

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 11 June 2014. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 January 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  2. ↑ "Lionel Messi". PSG.FR (in français). Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  3. ↑ "Lionel Messi Website".
  4. ↑ "Messi tops Ronaldo, wins sixth Ballon d'Or award". ESPN. 2 December 2019.
  5. ↑ "The Best FIFA Football Awards". FIFA. Archived from the original on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  6. ↑ Rakesh (2020-04-08). "Lionel Messi Biography| Family| Career| Net Worth". Sportslibro.com. Retrieved 2020-09-12.
  7. ↑ Messi Magic (7 June 2016). "Messi Solo Goal vs Getafe ► Best Possible 1080p Quality". Youtube. Retrieved 9 March 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ↑ "Messi's goal against Getafe is the best in Barça's history according to the fans". www.fcbarcelona.com. 28 March 2019. Retrieved 2021-03-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ↑ "Croatia vs. Argentina 3-2 - Match Summary". ESPN. 1 March 2006. Retrieved 2020-06-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Messi breaks Argentina scoring record". ESPN.com. 2016-06-22. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  11. ↑ McKirdy, Euan (27 June 2016). "'I think this is best for everyone,' Has Lionel Messi retired from Argentina duty?". CNN. Retrieved 2021-03-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ↑ "Lionel Messi retires from Argentina after Copa America final loss to Chile". ESPN.com. 2016-06-27. Retrieved 2021-03-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ↑ "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will be last says Lionel Messi". footballcoal.com. Retrieved 2022-05-21.
  14. ↑ "Lionel Messi married his childhood sweetheart, and the photos are stunning". For The Win. 2017-07-01. Retrieved 2018-03-30.
  15. ↑ "Lionel Messi handed jail terms in Spain for tax frauds". BBC News. 6 July 2016.
  16. ↑ "'I knew nothing', Messi tells court". BBC News. 2016-06-02. Retrieved 2020-06-26.
  17. ↑ "Lionel Andrés Messi – Goals in International Matches". RSSSF. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  18. ↑ "Lionel Messi: Player Profile". ESPN FC. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  19. ↑ Lionel Messi at Barcelona's official website
  20. ↑ Magee, Will (2 December 2019). "Ballon d'Or: live updates from the ceremony as Lionel Messi and Virgil van Dijk compete for top award". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  21. ↑ "European Footballer of the Year ("Ballon d'Or")". The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "FIFA Ballon d'Or: History". FIFA. Archived from the original on 28 September 2014. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  23. ↑ "Messi, Neuer Heralded as Brazil 2014's Best". FIFA. 13 July 2014. Archived from the original on 30 March 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  24. ↑ "The FIFA Football Awards Voting Results 2019" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 23 September 2019. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  25. ↑ "Messi Wins Fifth Golden Shoe After Winning Pichichi Trophy". Goal. 20 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  26. ↑ "BeIN Sports: Messi habría rechazado el MVP del torneo" [BeIN Sports: Messi reportedly rejects MVP award for tournament] (in español). AS.com. 5 July 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  27. ↑ "Lionel Messi allegedly refuses best player award at Copa America as trophy removed from ceremony". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  28. ↑ "Messi rechazó recoger el premio a MVP de la Copa América". Marca (in español). Spain. 5 July 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 "Profile: Lionel Messi". UEFA. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 Otero, Paul M. (12 November 2013). "Palmarés de un Genio: El Coleccionista de Trofeos" [Honours of a Genius: The Collector of Trophies]. Marca (in español). Spain. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 "Messi, Mejor Delantero y Mejor Jugador" [Messi, Best Forward and Best Player] (in español). Liga de Fútbol Profesional. 2 December 2013. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 "Lionel Messi, 2014–15 Liga BBVA Best Player". Liga de Fútbol Profesional. 30 November 2015. Archived from the original on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  33. ↑ "Lionel Messi named Best Striker in La Liga Santander 2015–16". Liga de Fútbol Profesional. 24 October 2016. Archived from the original on 6 August 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  34. ↑ "The MARCA 2019 football awards: Messi collects sixth Pichichi". Marca. 2019-12-16. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
  35. ↑ “Messi Wins Sixth Pichichi Trophy, Extends Lead in European Golden Boot Race”. Sports Illustrated, 19 May 2019
  36. ↑ "Messi equals Zarra's record with sixth Pichichi award". Onefootball. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  37. ↑ "Leo Messi wins his seventh Pichichi, a LaLiga record". FC Barcelona. 19 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 "FIFA Club World Cup: Awards". FIFA. Archived from the original on 7 April 2015.
  39. ↑ "Barcelona Trio Sweep Awards". FIFA. 20 December 2015. Archived from the original on 20 December 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 "FIFA World Youth Championship Netherlands 2005". FIFA. Archived from the original on 21 August 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  41. ↑ "Former Results". IFFHS. Archived from the original on 24 September 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  42. ↑ "IFFHS (International Federation of Football for History & Statistics". iffhs.de. Archived from the original on 2021-01-28. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
  43. ↑ "Premios Olimpia 2015: La Judoca Paula Pareto se Llevó el Oro y los de Plata Fueron Para Messi, Marco Ruben, Andrés Nocioni y Adolfo Cambiaso" [Olympia Awards 2015: The Judoca Paula Pareto Took the Gold and Silver Was for Messi, Marco Ruben, Andrés Nocioni and Adolfo Cambiaso] (in español). LRA Radio Nacional. 23 December 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  44. ↑ "Los Ganadores de Olimpia de Plata en Cada Deporte, con los Medallistas Dorados de Río entre los Destacados" [The Winners of the Silver Olimpia in Each Sport, with the Gold Medalists of Río among the Highlights]. La Nacion (in español). 20 December 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  45. ↑ "Delfina Pignatiello se quedó con el Olimpia de Oro". TN (in español). Buenos Aires. 20 December 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 46.2 Caioli 2012, p. 248.
  47. ↑ Balagué 2013, pp. 279–284.
  48. ↑ "FIFPro and FIFA Present the 2015 World XI". FIFPro. 11 January 2016. Archived from the original on 24 April 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  49. ↑ "The Best named at FIFA Football Awards". FIFA. 9 January 2017. Archived from the original on 20 May 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  50. ↑ "FIFA FIFPro World11". FIFA. 24 October 2017. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  51. ↑ "DE GEA, KANTE AND MBAPPE IN WORLD 11". FIFPro World Players' Union. 24 September 2018. Archived from the original on 11 September 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  52. ↑ "VAN DIJK AMONG FOUR DEBUTANTS IN MEN'S WORLD 11". FIFPro World Players' Union. 23 September 2019.
  53. ↑ "The FIFA FIFPRO Men's World 11 of 2019-2020 - FIFPRO World Players' Union". FIFPRO. 2020-12-17. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 "IFFHS (International Federation of Football for History & Statistics". www.iffhs.de. Archived from the original on 2021-02-07. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
  55. ↑ "IFFHS MAN TEAM - CONMEBOL - OF THE DECADE 2011-2020". IFFHS. 26 January 2021. Archived from the original on 29 January 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  56. ↑ "Team of the Year 2015: Lionel Messi". UEFA. 8 January 2016. Archived from the original on 20 January 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  57. ↑ "Facts and figures: UEFA.com Team of the Year 2017". UEFA.com: The official website for European football. UEFA. 11 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  58. ↑ "UEFA.com fans' Team of the Year 2018 revealed". UEFA.com: The official website for European football. UEFA. 11 January 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  59. ↑ "UEFA.com fans' Team of the Year 2019 revealed". UEFA.com: The official website for European football. UEFA. 15 January 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  60. ↑ "UEFA.com Fans' Teams of the Year 2020 announced". UEFA.com: The official website for European football. UEFA. 20 January 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  61. ↑ "Dream Team Winners Earn Sony Prizes". FIFA. 23 July 2014. Archived from the original on 23 July 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  62. ↑ "El Once Ideal de la Copa América" [The Ideal Eleven of the Copa América]. La República (in español). 16 July 2007. Archived from the original on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  63. ↑ "The Copa América 2011 Dream Team". Copa America Organisation. 8 June 2015. Archived from the original on 30 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  64. ↑ "Copa América 2015: Team of the Tournament". Copa América Organisation. 5 July 2015. Archived from the original on 2 September 2015. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  65. ↑ Crépin, Timothé (14 December 2020). "Ballon d'Or Dream Team : Découvrez les révélations de ce onze de légende !". France Football (in français). Retrieved 14 December 2020.

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